Police are seeking information on the location of 29-year-old John Williams, of Madison Maine. Williams is described as 5’6” 120 lbs, brown hair, with sides that are shaved, with a more hair on the top and blue eyes. – Photo Courtesy of Maine State Police

NORRIDGEWOCK, Maine (AP) — A Maine county sheriff on Thursday urged a man sought in the killing of a deputy to turn himself in and told a community to stay vigilant during a manhunt in what is believed to be the first killing of a law enforcement officer in Maine in nearly 30 years.

The fatal shooting of Somerset County Cpl. Eugene Cole on Wednesday in Norridgewock triggered an intensive search for 29-year-old John Williams in and around the heavily wooded rural community about 60 miles (96 kilometers) west of Bangor.

“I’m asking John Williams, personally, if you are listening to my words today, I implore you to turn yourself in,” Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said at a news conference. He said authorities have had no contact with Williams.

Authorities told residents to keep their doors and cars locked, and said officers have been assigned to areas schools. They believe Williams is still in the area.

Lancaster said 175 to 200 officers from multiple agencies have been working on the case and are being assisted by law enforcement in Massachusetts and New Hampshire.

State Police Lt. Col. John Cote asked the public for help and stressed the safe return of Williams.

“He is the only one who can answer the questions we have,” Cote said.

Officials said Williams, of Madison, Maine, was scheduled to appear in court Wednesday to face gun charges when he killed the sheriff’s deputy, stole his cruiser and robbed a convenience store.

Helicopters, armored vehicles and police cruisers were spotted around Norridgewock, and schools were locked down as federal, state and local law enforcement poured into the region to look for Williams.

Law enforcement officials said he had arrest records in Maine, Tennessee and Massachusetts.

That image contrasts with Williams’ days at Skowhegan High School, where a yearbook showed he once served as a class officer.

“When in school he was a nice, funny and an all-around good guy,” said classmate Casey Sprout-Costa.

Another classmate, Alex Stetkis, said Williams was an honor student who was class president in his junior year. But things went downhill when he started picking fights and getting into drugs.

“Most could not believe it,” Stetkis said of the news that Williams was suspected in the killing. “He was always kind and could have gone anywhere in life if he hadn’t gotten into drugs.”

Williams’ Facebook page features photos of him smiling at a graduation ceremony as well as other photos of him hiking, hanging out with friends and dressed in a suit at a wedding party. His last post in 2017 noted how he was starting a new job in nearby Anson, Maine.

Residents in Norridgewock, a town of about 3,500, were stunned Wednesday as state police and federal agents investigated a home believed to be where Williams lived with his girlfriend.

“We’re a little on edge. It’s unnerving knowing there’s a guy running around out there,” Tasha Raymond said.

The last time someone killed an officer in the line of duty was in 1989, according to the Maine Department of Public Safety.

Gov. Paul LePage expressed his “deepest condolences” to Cole’s family in a tweet.

“If you live in Somerset County and the surrounding area, please cooperate with law enforcement and stay safe,” the Republican governor said. LePage also directed all U.S and state flags to be flown at half-staff for at least three days.

Cole has a son who also is a Somerset County deputy. Lancaster called Cole, a 13-year veteran of the department, an “outstanding employee, one of the finest deputies.”

 

 

Associated Press writers David Sharp in Portland, Maine; Kathy McCormack and Michael Casey in Concord, New Hampshire; and Alanna Durkin Richer in Boston contributed to this report.

 

PINKHAM’S GRANT, N.H. – A Massachusetts man was located at a luxury hotel after an hours long search in the Presidential Range. According to New Hampshire Fish and Game Officials at 3:48 am Sunday 70–year-old Christophe Chamley was reported as overdue from a hike in the White Mountains by his wife when he didn’t return home.

His family did not have a hiking itinerary for him and Chamley was said to have a medical condition which added urgency.

Rescue teams from NH Fish and Game Androscoggin Valley Search and Rescue, Snow Rangers from the US Forest service and snow cat operators from the Mount Washington State park began rescue operations around 10:00 AM.

Rescuers were brought up to the top of Mt. Washington via snow cat and started searching the above tree line trails. While other search teams were deployed on trails below tree line and working up the mountain.

A National Guard Helicopter was brought in and started to search from the air.

While updating the family on the search missions authorities were informed by them that they had just spoke with the Mount Washington Hotel who told them that Chamley had checked in at 1:00 AM on the 23rd. After authorities confirmed that Chamley was in fact at the hotel they called off the search.

Chamley said he had taken a cab from AMC Pinkham to the Appalachia parking lot on route 2 in Randolph leaving there at 7:45AM. He said he summited Mt. Adams and Jefferson while on Jefferson he decided to bail off on the westerly side and go down the Caps Ridge Trail, to Jefferson Notch road to the Base road and down the Base Road to the Mount Washington Hotel checking in at 1:00 AM.

Authorities said that when he arrived at the hotel he sent a message to his wife which did not go through and he did not confirm that she had received his message.

Fish and Game Officials said in a statement “Failure to communicate plans and confirm that loved ones had received his message that he was all right caused the reporting of him overdue coupled with his age and medical condition caused an urgent response from Fish and Game where none was needed. A waste of time money and resources which could have easily been avoided. ”

 

CONWAY, NH – S.T.A.Y. MWV is once again looking to help Mount Washington residents saddled with Student Debt. They are now accepting applications for student debt scholarships worth a collective $10,000. 

Their Annual Student Debt Scholarship helps pay back the student debt of our local young professionals, making it easier for young people to settle here.

Together with their partners, they have awarded $13,000 in student debt scholarships over the past two years. 

Scholarships will be given to several individuals in various career fields in the Mount Washington Valley. Scholarships include:

$1,000 sponsored by the Conway Area Lion’s Club and is earmarked for those in the medical/health care field with an emphasis on eye care.

Up to $3,000 sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of the Mt. Washington Valley and earmarked for teachers in SAU 9 or MSAD 72.

$1,000 sponsored by the Mountain Garden Club and is earmarked for those in an environmental or agricultural field.

$1,000 sponsored by the North Conway Rotary Club and is open to all those exemplify the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self”.

And the STAY MWV scholarship is $3,000 and is open to all.

To access the application online, head to: www.staymwv.com.

Applications must be postmarked by Friday May 11^th and winners will be announced at the Leadership MWV gradation on June 5^th.

STAY MWV is a group of young professionals in the Valley, whose mission is “to attract and retain a vibrant young professional population in the Mount Washington Valley.”

For more details email staymwv@gmail.com or call the Chamber at 603-356-5701 ext 300.