SECTOR
Police
CLIENT
Endicott College Department of Public Safety & Police
GOAL
Provide support and guidance to public safety, allowing it to grieve while insuring that college stakeholders and the community remained informed.
Background
Just after midnight on Thanksgiving Day, 2024, a wrong-way driver struck and killed an oncoming motorist on Interstate 95 in Newbury. John Guilfoil responded to the scene to assist the Newbury Police Department shortly before 1 a.m..
The victim was identified at the scene as Endicott College Sgt. Jeremy Cole, who was returning to his New Hampshire home after his police department shift.
In keeping with its mission of assisting all public safety agencies in crisis, JGPR volunteered to support the college and its Police Department and allow them to grieve the passing of “JCole.” All services were provided to Endicott College and the Endicott Police Department at no cost.
Concept
JGPR served as the media point of contact for the following 10 days, leveraging its strong, ongoing partnerships with news outlets in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. This meant that the Incident Management Team could focus on arranging community events and services.
The JGPR team, which includes FBI-LEEDA Academy graduates and FEMA-trained APIOs, provided strategy and support to the Department. Efforts included press releases sharing vital information about services, social media posts, talking points, and official statements, as well as offering effective communications strategies.
Impact
JGPR’s efforts ensured that family, friends, and the Department could mourn while allowing media members to do their jobs by connecting them with law enforcement and students who knew Sgt. Cole.