By Katie Northcott
This morning, Winchester Police Department published a letter from Michelle Cobb, widow of John Cobb, on their Facebook page.
On July 4, the Winchester Police Department responded to a medical emergency on Twin Creeks Marina Drive near River Watch Way. The subject, 61-year-old John Cobb, was walking with his wife when he suddenly collapsed.
Initially, first responders believed Cobb had experienced a medical emergency and had fallen. However, during his medical treatment, it was discovered that he was struck by what was believed to be a bullet. Cobb was eventually declared brain dead.
On July 6, Detective Ryan Fuller with the Winchester Police Department shared in a press release that he believed Cobb may have been struck by a bullet fired recklessly into the air, possibly from a rifle. Fuller’s theory was based on witness testimony and preliminary findings.
Two months later, the Winchester Police Department is still investigating Cobb’s death.
“I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, but taking someone’s life is enough to demand people be knowledgeable and accountable,” Michelle Cobb wrote in her letter this morning. “And as his wife I would like to know where the bullet came from.”
Michelle remembers how her husband filled the room with his vivacious personality. She is proud that even in death he helped others by donating his liver, lungs, kidneys, and legs to save the lives of three people.
“And as for the person who shot the rifle, I’m sure [John would] forgive you because that’s just how he was,” Michelle wrote.
If you or anyone you know have information about this incident or know of a rifle being fired in the air in the Winchester area between 9:10 p.m. and 9:25 p.m. on July 4, please contact Detective Ryan Fuller at 931-967-3840 or report anonymously to Crimestoppers at 931-962-4636.
The full text of Michelle’s letter is published below and can be found on the Winchester Police Department Facebook page.
Well, today it has been two months. Labor Day has passed, and August 22nd would have been John Larkin Cobb’s sixty-second birthday. A day he looked forward to and talked about. The day he was going to retire after working hard on hot cars in the summer and in cold conditions in the winter. This day, John was going to retire early, but on July 4th this year, those dreams were changed in an instant when he was struck in the back of the head with a stray bullet launched in the air by someone celebrating the holiday not thinking about a bullet they had shot that would land where it was probably not intended. Little did my husband know as we walked together from the firework display that he would take his last walk and keep walking right into Heaven as his body dropped to the ground. John had no time to think, plan, repent, or say last words. He was just instantly gone. We prayed, I did CPR, ambulance and helicopters rushed, but it was apparently his time to be absent from the body and present with the Lord. Once we knew he was brain dead and not returning, his organs (liver, lungs, kidneys and legs) were donated to save the lives of three people making us even more proud to be his family. However, we miss the way he “filled the room” with his vivacious personality, the way he sang and could preach, but most of all we miss him, the rescuer, the fun guy, the one who knew Bible prophecy and could tell all of us how things were lining up. We found a sermon he preached at his cousin’s funeral recently that said that death is not permanent, but a transportation to your destination. He said, “Will you choose Heaven or Hell?” Blunt, but true. Do you know? Can you give your family peace in knowing? John prepared me. I know. That’s why I’m ok and have the peace that passes all understanding. Strong, but not pitiful, sad, but not defeated. If John could speak now, I’m sure he’d say, “If you’re not ready, get alone somewhere and meet the Lord. Pray like you are talking to your best friend and make things right. You don’t have to be perfect, none of us are, but believe that Jesus is God’s son, accept him and confess that he is Lord. Make right choices, spend time with God and your family and enjoy what days you have left because you don’t know the time or the hour when you will leave this earth.” And as for the person who shot the rifle, I’m sure he’d forgive you because that’s just how he was. I’m sure it wasn’t intentional, but taking someone’s life is enough to demand that people be knowledgeable and accountable. And as his wife, I would like to know where the bullet came from. If you know any information as to what happened that day or have heard any talk about what occurred, please share that information with me, the Winchester police department or Detective Fuller.
Thank you for remembering John and for listening to my heart.
Michelle McDonald Cobb
The post Two months after husband’s tragic death in Winchester, widow pleads for answers appeared first on Thunder Radio.
