Officer Thomas W. Cottrell Jr. Award
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 checkor 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.
Recipients
Joshua Snodgrass
May 2025, BAS25-007
Commander James Rease; Joshua Snodgrass; President John Berry, PhD; and Commander Jeff Sowards
Aaron Michel Snell
November 2024, BAS 24-040
Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Aaron Michel Snell; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling
Levern Edward Wilson
November 2024, BAS 24-041
Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Levern Edward Wilson; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling
Srboljub Ruzic
November 2024, BAS 23-060
Commander James Rease; COTC President John Berry, PhD; Srboljub Ruzic; Rep. Troy Balderson; and Commander Adam Featherling
Deputy Tyler McMillen
September 2024, BAS-24-036
COTC President John M. Berry, recipient Deputy Tyler McMillen, Peace Officer Basic Training Commander James Rease and Licking County Sheriff Randy Thorp
Marquie Lynn Crisp
December 2023, BAS 23-036
COTC President John M. Berry, recipient Marquie Lynn Crisp, Peace Officer Basic Training Commander James Rease and Associate Professor Mark Prince
Devin Fritz
May 2023, BAS 22-064
Alycia, Brooklyn and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Cottrell; Melissa Osborn, mother of Officer Cottrell; and Devin Fritz, Officer Cottrell Award recipient
Michael Manson
May 2023, BAS 23-007
Alycia, Brooklyn and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Cottrell; Melissa Osborn, mother of Officer Cottrell; and Michael Manson, Officer Cottrell Award recipient
Justin Holmes
November 2022, BAS 22-028
Associate Professor Mark Prince; COTC President John M. Berry, PhD; recipient Justin Holmes; and Assistant Professor Jeff Sowards (academy commander).
Abner King
May 2022, BAS 21-059
Abner King, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) and Loni Ives-Stone.
Loni Ives-Stone
May 2022, BAS 22-004
Abner King, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) and Loni Ives-Stone.
Sarah Pope
June 2021, Class 20-045
Austin Harlow
June 2021, BAS21-012
Caleb Brown
May 2020, BAS 19-058
Zachary Raaker
November 2019, BAS19-029
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
May 2019, BAS18-065
Melissa 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
May 2019, BAS19-008
Brooklyn, Alycia and Courtney Cottrell, daughters of Officer Thomas Cottrell; Austin Carpenter, Officer Cottrell Award Recipient; COTC President John M. Berry, PhD
William Duston
November 2018, BAS18-030
William 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
May 2018, BAS17-050
Jeremy Justice II
May 2018, BAS18-050
Courtney 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
December 2017, BAS17-031
Courtney Cottrell, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell), Wesley Jackson and Brooklyn Cottrell
Timothy Smith
May 2017, BAS17-008
Courtney Cottrell, Timothy Smith, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) and Brooklyn Cottrell
Aaron Hanson
December 2016, BAS16-034
Aaron Hanson, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) and Matthew Newlun
Matthew Newlun
December 2016, BAS16-035
Aaron Hanson, Melissa Osborn (mother of Officer Cottrell) and Matthew Newlun