Remembering Jeremy Cole, Endicott’s Watchful Guardian

When Bella Palmieri ’24 arrived at Endicott College from her home state of Nebraska, she found herself thousands of miles away from everything familiar. But during the transition, she also found an unexpected source of support, warmth, and family—Sergeant Jeremy Cole.
 
“I first got to know him during the summer I spent as an intern with Public Safety,” recalled Palmieri, a criminal justice major. “Even though I worked during the day and he was on the evening shift, he always went out of his way to check in on me and catch up whenever he got the chance.”
 
From that first summer on, Sergeant Cole—affectionately known as “J. Cole” to the Endicott community—became a reassuring presence in Palmieri’s life. Whether it was a friendly phone call to the front desk while she worked at the Post Center, a casual drop-in during her RA shifts in Frates Hall, or simply sharing a laugh over TikTok videos during her late-night parking desk shifts, his presence was a thread throughout her college experience.

Palmieri’s story is typical for people who knew and loved Cole, the beloved Endicott College Public Safety member who tragically died the night before Thanksgiving 2024 after he was struck by a wrong-way driver on I-95. He was traveling home from Endicott when the accident occurred. 

His passing sent shockwaves through campus. Tributes poured in from students, faculty, and staff, all echoing the same sentiment—J. Cole wasn’t just a security officer; he was family.

“I know my parents are grateful that I had somebody to look out for me the way he always did,” Palmieri said. “He was like a father figure to me and so many other students on this campus, and I think I speak for myself and the Endicott community as a whole when I say that he has touched all our lives in a very meaningful way.”

On February 26, nearly three months after his passing, the Endicott community gathered to honor Cole with a memorial service, marking the culmination of a profoundly sorrowful chapter in Gull history. Dozens of Cole family members attended, standing alongside students, faculty, and staff to celebrate his lasting impact.

Noting Cole’s penchant for sarcasm and humor, Lieutenant Barry Leeds recalled how “you had to be quick and pay attention to what he was saying; otherwise, he would get some zingers in on you that you wouldn’t pick up until 20 minutes later. Suddenly, it would dawn on you what he said, and you’d be like, ‘Hey! What the…’”

Together, the two did everything from campus CPR trainings to firearm instruction for the Public Safety Department. Leeds said that “regardless of what was being taught,” Cole infused a routine training with his trademark wit. 

“Jeremy loved to play with PowerPoint and tried to make the slides as interesting as possible,” Leeds said. “One of our running jokes was that any time he did something well that would require me to say something nice, I would pretend to have chest pains because it hurt me so much to give him a compliment.”

Chief of Police and Director of Public Safety Kerry Ramsdell reflected on the profound loss, stating that Cole’s passing has left “a void that will be felt for years to come.”

“While his presence may no longer be seen on campus, we are committed to ensuring that his legacy and name live on as an enduring part of the Endicott College community,” she affirmed. 

Honoring his unwavering dedication, Ramsdell named Cole the 2024 Endicott College Police Officer of the Year. In a lasting tribute, she announced that the Endicott College Police Department has permanently retired his badge number and call sign.

“No one else will ever be issued badge #303, nor will call sign ‘Sam-3’ be used on our radio system,” Ramsdell said.

Following Ramsdell’s emotional tribute, Endicott’s Chief Financial Officer Tony Ferrullo reflected on Cole’s lasting impact.

“As we reflect on these stories, a common thread emerges: it is the little things—the quiet acts of kindness, the moments of understanding, the willingness to go the extra mile—that truly define a person’s legacy. For J. Cole, these little things were never little to the people whose lives he touched. They were transformative. They were life-changing. And they are the reason we are here today, united in our grief and gratitude for having known him.”

Ferrullo acknowledged that while much of Cole’s role was behind the scenes, ensuring the safety and well-being of Endicott’s students, staff, and faculty, Cole understood that being part of a college campus meant being an educator, not just in the classroom but through experience and example. 

“Many of you have shared stories about how J. Cole impacted your lives,” he continued. “Perhaps it was the time he helped you out of a difficult situation with quiet understanding rather than judgment. Or maybe it was the way he greeted you with a nod and a steady presence that made you feel safe. These moments might have seemed small then, but they were anything but. They were the moments that reminded us of the humanity we all share and the difference one person can make.”

Ferrullo emphasized the importance of remembering Cole not just in moments of mourning but in how the community carries forward his spirit of kindness and dedication.

“Life comprises countless small moments,” he said. “We often focus on milestones, significant achievements, and grand gestures, but the accumulation of little things truly defines who we are and the legacy we leave behind. Jeremy understood this, and he lived it every day. Let us honor him by striving to do the same.”

Read more stories about Sergeant Jeremy Cole and his impact on the Gull community.