Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr. Award

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Portrait of Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr.

The Officer Thomas W. Cottrell, Jr. Award for Character and Dedication to Public Service is given out at each Peace Officer Basic Training graduation ceremony during the academic year. The selection of the recipients is based on many factors including, but not limited to, academic success and overall leadership and character.

The $1,000 award assists the recipient with equipment purchases and other expenses associated with beginning a career in law enforcement. 

The award is presented by the Cottrell family in memory of Officer Thomas W. Cottrell, Jr., who was senselessly killed in the line of duty while working in the Knox County town of Danville in January 2016.

​It is the highest honor a COTC Peace Officer Basic Training​ cadet can receive.

If you would like to make a gift to the Officer Cottrell Memorial Fund please send a check or contact the Office of Advancement to discuss other options at 740.364.9514. Checks should be made payable to the COTC Cottrell Memorial Fund and mailed to: Office of Advancement, 1179 University Drive, Newark, Ohio 43055.

Aaron Michel Snell

Aaron Michel Snell stands on stage holding his award certificate with Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling.Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Aaron Michel Snell; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling

Levern Edward Wilson

Levern Edward Wilson stands on stage holding his award certificate with Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling.Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Levern Edward Wilson; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling

Srboljub Ruzic

Srboljub Ruzic stands on stage holding his award certificate with Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling.Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Srboljub Ruzic; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling

Deputy Tyler McMillen

Deputy Tyler McMillen holding his award plaque stands with COTC President John M. Berry, Peace Officer Basic Training Commander James Rease and Licking County Sheriff Randy ThorpCOTC President John M. Berry, recipient Deputy Tyler McMillen, Peace Officer Basic Training Commander James Rease and Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp

Marquie Lynn Crisp

Portrait of John Berry, Marquie Crisp, James Rease and Mark Prince.COTC President John M. Berry, recipient Marquie Lynn Crisp, Peace Officer Basic Training Commander James Rease and Associate Professor Mark Prince

Devin Fritz

Devin Fritz holds his award certificate standing next to Officer Cottrell's mom and daughters. Alycia, Brooklyn and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Cottrell; Melissa Osborn, mother of Officer Cottrell; and Devin Fritz, Officer Cottrell Award recipient

Michael Manson

holds his award certificate standing next to Officer Cottrell's mom and daughters.Alycia, Brooklyn and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Cottrell; Melissa Osborn, mother of Officer Cottrell; and Michael Manson, Officer Cottrell Award recipient

Justin Holmes

Justin Holmes holds his award certificate standing next to COTC President John Berry and faculty Jeff Sowards and Mark Prince.Associate Professor Mark Prince; COTC President John M. Berry, PhD; recipient Justin Holmes; and Assistant Professor Jeff Sowards (academy commander).

Abner King (BAS 21-059) and Loni Ives-Stone (BAS 22-004)

Abner King and Loni Ives-Stone hold their award certificates standing next to Melissa Osborn.Abner King, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) ​and Loni Ives-Stone.

Sarah Pope

Sarah is a security officer at OhioHealth and is the first woman recipient. She graduated from the evening academy.

Austin Harlow

Austin is a Marine Corps veteran and was hired by the Heath Police Department while in the academy (accelerated).

Caleb Brown

Zachary Raaker

Zachary Raaker receives award COTC President John M. Berry, PhD, Zachary Raaker, Award Recipient; Melissa Osborn, mother of Officer Thomas Cottrell; and Courtney and Brroklyn Cottrell, daughters of Officer Cottrell

Joshua Walker

Joshua Walker receives awardMelissa Osborn, mother of Officer Thomas Cottrell; Brooklyn, Alycia and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Cottrell; Joshua Walker, Officer Cottrell Award Recipient; and COTC President John M. Berry, PhD

Austin Carpenter

Austin Carpenter receives awardBrooklyn, Alycia and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Thomas Cottrell; Austin Carpenter, Officer Cottrell Award Recipient; COTC President John M. Berry, PhD

William Duston

William Duston receives awardWilliam Duston, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell), Courtney and Brooklyn Cottrell (daughters of Officer Cottrell) and COTC President Bonnie L. Coe, Ph.D.

John Fridinger

Jeremy Justice II

Jeremy Justice II receives awardCourtney Cottrell (daughter of Officer Cottrell), Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell), John Fridinger, Jeremy Justice II, Alycia Cottrell (daughter of Officer Cottrell) and Brooklyn Cottrell (daughter of Officer Cottrell)

Wesley Jackson​

Wesley Jackson​ receives awardCourtney Cottrell, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell), Wesley Jackson and Brooklyn​ Cottrell

Timothy Smith

Timothy Smith receives awardCourtney Cottrell, Timothy Smith, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) and Brooklyn​ Cottrell

Aaron Hanson and Matthew Newlun

Aaron Hanson and Matthew Newlun receive awardsAaron Hanso​n, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell)​ and Matthew Newlun