Hal Cole -- Sheriff of Paducah Kentucky

 

Hal Cole was born on January 13, 1914 in Calloway County, Kentucky. He was the son of Obediah M “Boss” Cole and Cora Mae Skaggs Cole. He had four brothers, Dewey Cole, Fred Cole, Tommy Cole, and Ted Cole and three sisters, Neta Cole, Beva Cole and Nell Cole.  His father Obediah was an employee of the International Shoe Company who was born in Calloway County and moved to Paducah, Kentucky in 1923 when Hal was nine years old.

Hall attended McCracken County schools and graduated from a Paducah High School.  In the 1930s he married Mary Beatrice Bond and they became the parents of a daughter, Patsy Ellen Cole, who was born on September 9, 1935.  Hal and Mary were subsequently divorced and on October 12, 1953 Hal married his second wife, Mildred Louise Roper.  Mildred was a native of Paducah, born May 10, 1923 to Clyde Hale Roper and Bertha Estella Shelton Roper.  Clyde worked as a machinist with the Illinois Central Railroad.  His mother was Lucy Dyre Thomas, born in Trigg County, Kentucky. 

 Hal Cole began his law enforcement career on November 28, 1936 when he went on active duty with the Paducah Police Department.  He made advancements through the years at the department obtaining the rank of Captain.  He organized and served as the director of the department's traffic division for several years.  In December 1965, at the age of 52, he resigned from the department, having served 30 years.

After his retirement from the police department, Hal in January 1966 became the Deputy Sheriff for the McCracken County Sheriff Department.  He served in this position for eight years until 1973.  At that time he was elected as the McCracken County Sheriff.  He served as Sheriff until December 31, 1977 when his term was up.  He was not allowed to seek reelection as Kentucky law did not allow a sheriff to succeed himself in office.

Hal continued his political career when he served in the Office of County Commissioner of McCracken County’s 2nd District for two terms. In his campaign for city commissioner he ran on a platform pressing for more jobs for local citizens and increasing prevention of crime and reducing traffic accidents. 

Hal and his second wife, Mildred became the parents of a son, Hal Anthony Cole on March 16, 1957.  While Hal was pursuing his career in law enforcement, Mildred worked for the Bell South Telephone Company for 42 years. .Hal and Mildred were married for 52 years at the time of her death on May 29, 2009 at the age of 83. She was buried in the Maplelawn Park Cemetery in Paducah.

Hal died on May 9, 2013 at his home in Paducah at the age of 99.  He was buried in the Maplelawn Park Cemetery with his wife.

Tombstone of Hal and Mildred Cole

 

LINEAGE:  (Hal Cole was the husband of Mildred Louise Roper.  Mildred was the daughter of Clyde Hale and Bertha Estelle Shelton Roper.  Clyde was the son of Charles and Lucy Dyre Thomas Roper.  Lucy was the third child of Albert Dillard and Mary Jonathan Vinson Thomas.  Albert was the second child of Peyton and Sarah Ethridge Thomas.  Peyton was the third child of Cullen and Elizabeth Futrell Thomas.  Cullen was the first child of James and Mary Standley Thomas.)