A Maine police officer, Chandler Cole, has been charged with several crimes, including lying about a missing-person case by falsifying a report. Washburn Police Sgt. Cole resigned after being charged with offenses such as forgery, tampering with records, falsifying evidence, and unsworn falsification. The charges stem from a case involving Erik Foote, a missing person who was reported as distressed when seen walking along a road on January 30. Despite Cole’s claims of taking Foote to a hospital, there is no record of such a drop-off.
The investigation determined that Cole altered his report to indicate a hospital drop-off for Foote, but there is no evidence to support this claim. Foote has not been located, prompting the community of Washburn, with a population of 1,500 people, to organize search parties in an effort to find him. With the police department in turmoil – the police chief retired and a young officer working elsewhere – the Aroostook County Sheriff’s Office has taken over the investigation, providing coverage for Washburn while it is without a police force. As the case unfolds, the town is deliberating whether to maintain its own police department or seek alternative law enforcement options.
The resignation of Sgt. Cole following the charges has left Washburn in a state of uncertainty regarding law enforcement. The community’s dedication to finding Erik Foote, despite the discrepancies in Cole’s report, demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting each other during challenging times. With the Sheriff’s Office now overseeing the investigation, the town must decide on the future of its policing strategy. As the case continues to captivate the small town of Washburn, the search for Erik Foote remains ongoing, underscoring the importance of community cooperation in the face of adversity.