An El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputy was killed February 26, 1991.  He was responding to a call for service when his patrol vehicle failed to negotiate a curve and crashed into a tree near Diamond Springs in Northern California.

Deputy Michael Cole, age 33, was pronounced dead at the scene. Lieutenant James Roloff, El Dorado County Sheriff’s Department, said a citizen passing the crash site called 911 to report the accident.

Deputy Cole Joined the Sheriff’s Department on August 4, 1990, after working for the Oxnard Police Department for 10 years.

“He loved the area… We both felt it was a great place to raise our kids,” said fellow Deputy Tony Campagna.

“He was a real nice guy, a great big guy too,” added Lt. Roloff. “He wasn’t with us long. He was always real up, and friendly. That is rare in this type of work.”

Born April 16, 1957 at Nellis Air Force Base, Las Vegas, NV, he graduated from Hueneme High School. Cole began his law enforcement career as a cadet, explorer, and was a reserve officer with the Oxnard Police Department for two years, donating more than 1,200 hours of his own time. He was appointed a regular officer in May 1980.  In 1989, Cole was nominated for the Oxnard Officer of the Year award, sponsored by the South Oxnard Kiwanis Club, for outstanding service to the Police Department and the community. He was a member of the Santa Clara Catholic Church, active in the parish and elementary school.

He was also active in Easter Seals of Ventura County. Cole was a member of PORAC, Oxnard POA, Ventura Co. POA, and El Dorado Co. DSA.

Deputy Cole is survived by his wife, Lori; three sons, Robert, 9, Gregory, 5, and Christopher. 3, at the family home in Pollock Pines; and a brother, Joseph of Santa Barbara.