Remembering a Recently Fallen Brother, Because the Sheriff Will Not

[XLFD]

This is a Memorial Day tale of two brothers, the youngest was an Army veteran whose life ended way too soon, and the oldest who chose a career path in local law enforcement, retiring from that to pursue a career in state politics.  I've have had the opportunity to sit across the table (a dining room table at Arby's for one, the sheriff's office table for the other) from both brothers for a couple of hours chatting about one issue or another, without anyone else around.  In the process, I was getting a few biographical details related from each about themselves and their family, learning a bit about their character and personality.

The youngest brother recently died at the tender age of 55, his obituary has been written telling of his Army service but understandably leaving out much of his post-service activity other than he was a member of the Lighthouse Baptist Church.  You see, following his honorable discharge, this brother would become the proverbial black sheep of the family, struggling to stay within the bounds of the law while ironically, his brother toed the line in the Mason County's Sheriff's Office avoiding military service, eventually distinguishing himself enough to become sheriff in 2012.

Into the older brother's second term as sheriff, the younger brother sought me out to talk about a legal issue he was experiencing at the time and how he felt his relationship with the sheriff was hurting his cause.  He spoke quite frankly and analytically about the case against him and his brother.  By his words and demeanor, however, I could tell that this was a real person with real issues who adapted to his post-Army life by choosing a path that conflicted with the law-- not due to a disdain for the law, but instead due to a libertarian appreciation of freedom that he fought for.

Up to that point roughly nine years ago, the younger brother would find himself in the local district court six times as the defendant since 2008.  The list of crimes in order:  impaired driving, recreational trespass, seat belt violation, parking violation, another seat belt violation, another seat belt violation.  At the time, this was more of a gray sheep than a black sheep, and nobody could claim that his older brother was protecting him.  He would later plead guilty to domestic violence in 2019, and appear to have chosen escape through drugs, seeing action in the local circuit court in 2023 and 2024, being sentenced to a year in jail and probation in June 2025.

It is possible that this man's last breath was taken while in a jail cell while his older brother was sheriff, effectively operating that jail.  We may never know the absolute truth, I have heard plenty of stories on the rumor mill, but it isn't part of the obituary, and it hasn't been recognized by his brother, the sheriff who is currently running to upgrade his position to state senator. 

Today, Sheriff Kim Cole in the midst of his campaign, issued the perfunctory social media post remembering the brave people who gave their life for their country.  Kim Cole's veteran brother would be dead for only eight days, but he ignored recognizing the sacrifice of his brother, just like he had in the prior eight days, and remembered another Ludington native instead, much more famous.  He then, in his best political language, reminded us to never forget those who made the ultimate sacrifice in protecting our freedoms when we spend time with family this weekend.  Let's hope he can take just one moment this weekend to remember and honor his fallen brother, maybe visit his fresh gravesite.

This candidate was the same character I heard from when I sat across the table from Sheriff Cole at two different times in 2023 trying to get an honest investigation into documented criminal activity by Ludington city officials.  Unlike his brother at Arby's telling me of the difficulties he has faced over the years and owning them, the sheriff came off as artificial and superficial, telling me both times that the investigation into my complaint had been given to the state police.  It never was; the only record the prosecutor would ever see is the original complaint taken down by a deputy, without any of my supporting materials. 

There never was an investigation at any level and it's all because this man defends local corruption, whenever it shows up.  On the other hand, his younger brother, three-time seat belt violator, was very familiar with local corruption and willing to discuss it without using political doublespeak and outright lies.

Sheriff Cole did not have the honor to admit that they would shelve any action on my complaint and would not have the honor to admit that he directly lied both times to my face when we met, while he did his best to paint himself as an honorable and dedicated public official (with views that adapt to the audience he's addressing).  Giving him a new title won't change that character flaw.

On this Memorial Day, let's do what Kim Cole won't ever do and honor his brother, Tony Cole, for his sacrifice for this nation, ultimately coming decades after his military service and realize that his own private battles that followed may have been as a direct result of the schisms between the two brothers' personalities.  One had honor, honesty, and a sense of justice, the other wants to be your next state senator.