Maine Cop Killer Manhunt Is Over: State Police

The search for the man police believe shot and killed a Somerset County Sheriff's Corporal in Maine that had some 200 law enforcement officials hunting for him, has ended.

"Manhunt is over" tweeted State police Saturday afternoon and indicated more details would come soon.

The news comes just after the widow of the man John Williams, 29, is alleged to have killed pleaded for Williams to give himself up during a news conference.

His capture ends a nationwide manhunt for the suspected killer of a Maine sheriff's deputy. Two Massachusetts judges twice lowered his bail on other court cases and he was scheduled to appear in court in Massachusetts on the day he is alleged to have killed the deputy sheriff.

Williams fatally shot Cpl. Eugene Cole in Norridgewock, Maine, between 1-2 a.m., Monday morning, police said. He then allegedly stole Cole's cruiser and then stole from a Cumberland Farms. The abandoned cruiser was found in Norridgewock around 5 a.m. later that day.

On Saturday just after 12:4o p.m. members of the Maine State Police, Maine Warden Service, Fairfield, Maine Police, and the FBI found Williams and took him into custody, according to Maine State Police.

At the time of his arrest the team needed to confirm his identity with Unified Command but he wouldn't show his face for the photo, so officers had to "facilitate the picture," police said. The photo of him captured shows a hand pulling on his hair, Williams without a shirt on laying chest down in the mud with dirt covering his chest and face. Someone in camouflage appears to be hold him down. Police say he was checked by EMS and found to be uninjured and was transported.

Cole was the 25th officer to be gunned down in the line of duty this year. Hundreds of officers were involved in the search of the man police described as armed and dangerous. The FBI announced a reward for information leading to his capture.

Cole was 62 and a 13-year veteran of the department. Sheriff Dale Lancaster called him an "outstanding employee, one of the finest deputies."

Video taken by News Center Maine shows Williams not wearing a shirt and walking between two law enforcement officials each with a hand on his visibly skinny arms. His body tattoos are visible. A yellow wrap seems to be tied around his lower body.

The press conference following the State Police announcement:

See the News Center Main video here here:

Previously on Patch:

Man Wanted In Maine Deputy Killing Was Due In MA Court

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Photo from Maine State Police