2021 American Legion Law Enforcement Officer of the Year
Officer Cole Thompson
Whenever I interview one of our police officers for the Meet Your Officer section of the Sentinel, I always like to meet them in their environment. Often that means I get to do a ride-a-long with the officer for a few hours and experience a few moments of what their day entails. I find this puts them at ease, and after 20 or so minutes, they relax and forget that I am writing about them. While I used this same approach with Officer Thompson, it only took a few moments to know that he is a talker, and I could have met him anywhere for our conversation. Officer Thompson (Cole) is the poster image for the stereotypical characteristics of a Police Officer. He is a Type A personality, assertive, natural leader, protector, a bit intimidating on the outside, but a teddy bear on the inside. The type of man you would call if you were in trouble and the one you wouldn’t want to show up if you were the one causing the trouble. Cole is a bonified Texan. He was born in Denton and raised in Sanger. He went to Sanger High School, where he found his love for the rodeo. He was a State Finalist for three years. However, staying true to his type A personality, Thompson graduated high school at age 17 and shortly after, with his parent’s permission, joined the Army. Soon after AIT (military training), he deployed for five months to Iraq. Once he was back state-side, Cole was stationed in FT. Drum, New York. However, Uncle Sam pulled his number again, and on his 21st birthday, Officer Thompson found himself back on a plane for Iraq, where he would spend the next 17 months. Promotion was fast for Thompson. It didn’t take him long to reach the rank of Sargent. Upon arriving in the states from his 2nd deployment, his command wanted to send him to Drill Sargent school. Cole decided he had experienced enough military life. Texas was calling him home so, after five years in the Army, he moved back home to Sanger. Thompson said that it took him a few years to become a cop. But, after spending a couple of years at home, the Army’s skills and values he acquired, along with his urge to protect and serve, pulled on him and he knew joining the Police Force was his opportunity to serve once again. After graduating from the Police Academy, Cole bided his time waiting for an opening with the Sanger PD by working in Decatur and Aubrey. As soon as the opportunity presented itself for him to come to Sanger, he jumped on it. Cole’s desire to achieve has served him well as an officer. He holds an Advanced Peace Officer Certification, he is a Firearms Instructor, TCOLE
