News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Fellow members of the Tennessee Highway Patrol launching a car and truck show fundraiser to raise money for Trooper Adam Cothron.
Cothron shot and wounded July 19th while making a traffic stop on I-40 near exit 285 in Cookeville. Tennessee Highway Patrol Sergeant Brandon Jackson said the department put together the event as Cothron has a long road of recovery ahead of him.
“This is something that is life-changing,” Jackson said. “We don’t know what the future looks like for him. He is at the best rehabilitation center in the country right now, but nothing is guaranteed. We are putting this together to raise money for him for the future that he might have to deal with.”
Jackson said Cothron is a warrior and he believes Cothron will make a recovery. Jackson said all proceeds will be donated to Cothron’s family to help pay for unforeseen expenses.
“There can be a lot of unforeseen financial issues that arise with this,” Jackson said. “We are making the donation to them to use as they need and for whatever they need.”
Other local law enforcement departments have shown support for Cothron. Jackson said law enforcement shares a brotherhood as they put their lives on the line every day to protect the community.
“We have a unique subculture and a brotherhood is how I would describe it,” Jackson said. “When that happens to one of our troopers and even officers in other departments we all feel that and it hurts all of us.”
Jackson said Cothron has been able to spend time out of the hospital but is still recovering at a rehab center in Atlanta. Jackson said after the incident going back to work has been difficult for troopers.
“Me and I know others when we make a traffic stop now we are on edge because of this just because this happened here in Putnam County,” Jackson said. “I know that I have been really on edge and really watching things when I’m out there working now, and I’m not saying I was relaxed before. It is always in the back of your mind. Every officer and every trooper who makes a traffic stop, that is always in the back of our minds but now this incident has pushed it towards the front of our minds.”
The car and truck show is set for Saturday, October 19 at Cookeville First Baptist Church. Jackson said the event has received lots of interest and the department is considering changing the location to find a bigger space.
