H.R. No. 887
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, A life made rich through meaningful service drew to
a close with the passing of former Greenville assistant chief of
police William Edward Cole on March 19, 2023, at the age of 64; and
WHEREAS, The son of John Marvin Cole and Ora Christine
Ashburn, Will Cole was born in Amarillo on October 27, 1958; later
in life, he became the proud father of a daughter, Ashley; and
WHEREAS, Mr. Cole worked as a tile and carpet layer before
embarking on a rewarding career in law enforcement; he joined the
Greenville Police Department in 1987, and over the course of his
exemplary 35-year tenure, he distinguished himself in numerous
positions, including as patrol captain, patrol lieutenant,
criminal investigations division lieutenant, field training
officer, tactical officer, commander of the emergency response and
tactical teams, and interim chief of police; he was named assistant
chief in October 2019, and he served in that role until his
retirement in June 2022; and
WHEREAS, Among his many honors, Mr. Cole received the Police
Commendation Medal, a Certificate of Civic Achievement, and the
Kiwanis Officer of the Year award; he held a bachelor's degree in
criminal justice, as well as certification as a master peace
officer, and he graduated from the Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement
Management Institute of Texas Leadership Command College; and
WHEREAS, Deeply dedicated to his community, Mr. Cole played
an instrumental role in the development of the Chief's Working
Group; he was also an active member of his church, Family Fellowship
Greenville, where he served in the children's ministry for more
than two decades and helped establish the Family Fellowship Safety
Team; and
WHEREAS, An engaged citizen and an admired public servant,
Will Cole leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire all
those who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of William Edward Cole
and extend heartfelt sympathy to his family and many friends; and,
be it further
RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of
Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Will Cole.
Slaton
______________________________
Speaker of the House
I certify that H.R. No. 887 was unanimously adopted by a
rising vote of the House on April 14, 2023.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House