FBI Announces $20,000 Reward for John D. Williams
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, and Maine State Police are asking the public for help and offering a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to the arrest of John Daniel Williams.
In the early morning hours of April 25, 2018, Williams allegedly shot and killed Corporal Eugene Cole of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office in the town of Norridgewock, Maine.
Following the murder, Williams stole Corporal Cole’s marked cruiser, drove to the Cumberland Farms in Norridgewock, and committed a theft.
Williams fled the scene of the theft in the cruiser.
Shortly after 5:00 a.m., the cruiser was located abandoned off of Martin Stream Road in Norridgewock.
An arrest warrant was issued out of Somerset County Superior Court in Skowhegan, Maine for murder of a police officer.
Williams remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
- Williams is a 29-year-old male with blue eyes and brown hair.
- He is 5’6” in height and weighs approximately 120 pounds.
- He was last seen wearing a black beanie hat, a dark-colored zip-up jacket, gray pants, and tan boots.
- His last known address is 16 Jones Street in Madison, Maine, and he has ties to New Hampshire and Massachusetts.
Williams has at least eight tattoos:
- The words “SEVEN ELEVEN” on his chest, below his collarbones
- The abbreviation “est” in between his pectorals
- The name “WILLIAMS” on his lower abdomen, above his navel
- Ahalf-sleeve on his left arm
- The word “Semper” on his upper right arm
- The word “Fidelis” on his upper left arm
- Asmall safety selector symbol on the back of his left hand; and
- “Molon Labe” on his right forearm.
- According to records checks, Williams does not have any military experience.
JOHN DANIEL WILLIAMS
The FBI is currently offering a monetary reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to his location and arrest.
Anyone with information regarding Williams’ current whereabouts should call the Maine State Police at (207) 624-7076.
Tips can also be electronically submitted at tips.fbi.gov.
“Mr. Williams poses a very real danger to the public. We’re hoping this reward incentivizes anyone with information about his whereabouts to contact law enforcemen ,” said Harold H. Shaw, special agent in charge of the FBI Boston Division.
“And if you see him, call 911 immediately, but do not approach.”
The investigation is being conducted by:
- The Somerset County Sheriff’s Office
- Maine State Police Kennebec County Sheriff’s Office
- Penobscot County Sheriff’s Office
- Skowhegan, Fairfield, Waterville, and Pittsfield Police Departments
- Maine State Police
- Maine Warden Service
- Maine Forest Rangers
- Federal Bureau of Investigation
- Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
- United States Marshals Service
- U.S. Border Patrol
- Maine Department of Corrections, and other law enforcement agencies
Reward Offered as Manhunt Continues for ‘Armed and Dangerous’ Suspect in Maine Cop Slaying
By John R. Ellement and Emily Sweeney, The Boston Globe
Police are stationed outside schools in Central Maine Thursday as a massive manhunt continues for the man who allegedly killed Somerset County Deputy Corporal Eugene Cole early Wednesday — the same day the suspect was due in a Massachusetts court to face gun charges.
Cole, 62, was shot and killed between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Wednesday on Route 2 in Norridgewock, Maine under circumstances that authorities have not disclosed.
The suspect has been identified as John D. Williams, 29,of Madison, Maine.
At press briefing Thursday in Norridgewock, Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster spoke directly to Williams, who authorities have said is armed and dangerous.
(Hundreds of police officers remained in place near Norridgewock Thursday in the ongoing search for the man wanted in the shooting death of Somerset County Sheriff’s Cpl. Eugene Cole. Courtesy of WMTW-TV and YouTube. Posted on Apr 26, 2018)
“I am asking John Williams, personally, if you are listening to my word today —I implore you to you to turn yourself in,’’ Lancaster said.
The sheriff said nearly 200 law enforcement officials are looking for Williams.
Speaking after Lancaster at the press briefing, Maine State Police Lieutenant Colonel John Cote said the goal of law enforcement is to capture Williams without him or anyone else getting hurt.
Cote said homicide investigators want to talk to Williams about the death of Cole.
“There are certain questions that only he can provide the answers to,’’ Cote said. “That remains our goal, the safe apprehension of John Williams.”
Cote said investigators believe that Williams remains on foot Thursday.
After Cole’s death, Williams allegedly stole the slain deputy’s marked cruiser, robbed a nearby convenience store and then abandoned the cruiser.
The cruiser was discovered around 5 a.m. Wednesday in Norridgewock.
(A Maine sheriff’s deputy was shot and killed Wednesday morning as a suspect stole his cruiser and used it to rob a Cumberland Farms. WBZ-TV’s Ken MacLeod reports. Courtesy of WMTW-TV, CBS Boston and YouTube. Posted on Apr 25, 2018)
“Nothing we have has led us to believe he has become mobile,’’ Cote said, noting law enforcement has not been told about any motor vehicle being stolen in the region since Wednesday.
The FBI, other law enforcement agencies and police from other New England states, including Massachusetts, are participating in the search for Williams.
Williams’s last known residence, in Madison, was searched by police Wednesday, one of five spots checked by police.
The slain deputy lived in Norridgewock with his family — a son is also a deputy sheriff.
“As a resident, Cole was one of our own,’’ Norridgewock Town Manager Richard LaBelle said in a statement.
“He kept a watchful and considerate eye on our town. . . . Corporal Cole was one of the best.”
Many law enforcement agencies in Maine changed their Facebook profile photos to an image of a Somerset County sheriff’s patch in honor of Cole.
An eloquent tribute was posted by the officers from the Clinton police.
“As we reflect on the last 24 hours and then on the last few weeks there is a lot of emotion and considering to sort out. The evil that is pervading the world is here. Not Portland not Bangor right here in central Maine,’’ the posting reads.
“Gene was a regular guy who got up every day and went to work just like you. . . . Gene was doing his job, removing criminals from the streets.”
(Maine Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster speaks to reporters about fugitive John Williams, who is accused of killing a sheriff’s deputy in Maine. Courtesy of CBS Boston and YouTube. Posted on Apr 26, 2018)
Williams was arrested by Massachusetts State Police on March 22 on Interstate 495 in Haverhill where they allegedly found two handguns in the trunk of his car.
Williams claimed he was licensed to own the weapons in Maine.
He pleaded not guilty in Haverhill District Court on March 22 where bail was set at $7,500 cash, an amount reduced to $5,000 in Essex Superior Court March 27.
He posted bail that day, officials said.
He was due in court Wednesday for a routine hearing in the gun case, officials said Wednesday.
Williams is the second person enmeshed in the Massachusetts criminal justice system who is accused of recently murdering an on-duty law enforcement officer.
Thomas M. Latanowich, 29, was being sought for violating the terms of probation from a Cape Cod gun conviction when he allegedly shot and killed Yarmouth police Officer Sean M. Gannon, and wounded his K-9 partner, Nero, on April 12.
Latanowich has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges and is being held without bail.
(Tom Latanowich allegedly failed to stop for State Police and ditched his car, taking off on foot. Courtesy of WBZ-TV, CBS Boston and YouTube. Posted on Apr 13, 2018)
Cole — who had been on the force for 13 years — is the 45th police officer to die in the line of duty in the United States this year, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington.
Dallas Police Officer Rogelio Santander, who was shot in that city on Tuesday, died from his injuries on Wednesday, the foundation said.
(Rogelio Santander is remembered as not only a good officer, but an amazing human being. Courtesy of CBSDFW and YouTube. Posted on Apr 25, 2018)
Gannon and Cole are among eight law enforcement officers to die while on duty since April 12, the foundation reported.
Bangor Police Lieutenant Tim Cotton wrote on Facebook that the department is “saddened by the loss of a life well lived.”
“Cole was here at the Bangor Police Department on law enforcement business in the last month,” Cotton wrote.
“He was pleasant, professional, and enjoyable to be in a room with. We know his family and law enforcement brothers and sisters at the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office are hurting today.’’
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and loved ones of Somerset County Deputy Corporal Cole, as well as Yarmouth Officer Gannon and Dallas Officer Santander. Godspeed gentlemen and may God bless all those you leave behind.
