Norman V. Cochran Sr. Obituary

After a hard-fought battle with Lewy body dementia, Norman V. Cochran, Sr. passed peacefully at the age of 86 on July 14th at his home in Millsboro, DE.

He is survived by his loving wife of 32 years, Terre (Blevins); son, Norman, Jr.; daughter, Colleen James, (Art); his grandchildren, Vinnie, Nikki, Joey, Jordan, Anthony, and Ashley; and his six great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his previous wife of 23 years, Elizabeth; his siblings, William Brakefield, Margaret Hammacher, and Patrick Cochran; and his children, Ricky, and Donna.

Reds joined the Delaware Army National Guard in December 1953 on his 17th birthday, attaining the rank of first sergeant before going inactive in 1965 to begin his service with the Delaware State Police. He returned to the Guard in 1978 with an appointment as major and retired as a Colonel in 1993 after more than 26 years having held numerous staff and command positions culminating with his last assignment as Director of Personnel. Among his military awards were the Legion of Merit and the Delaware Conspicuous Service Cross. He was named as the Delaware National Guard Camp Honoree in 1999.

Prior to the Delaware State Police, he served with the New Castle City Police.

Reds was appointed to the Delaware State Police on December 1, 1963, and retired December 31, 1982. He was the first practicing Catholic to achieve the rank of Superintendent as well as the first chosen via the promotional system. He was appointed superintendent by Governor Pete Dupont on May 1, 1979. He was the first to hold all ranks from trooper to colonel. He was proud of his accomplishments instituting the awards program, including trooper of the year and establishing a civilian appreciation day. Among his assignments were the coordination of law-enforcement agencies in preparing for school desegregation that was implemented shortly after he became superintendent. He constantly spoke of the importance of the troopers in the field, saying they were the backbone of the division. Believing athletics to be a catalyst for keeping kids off the streets, Norm was one of the founders of the Delaware State Police youth basketball league which existed for over 20 years. In 1982 he was presented the Law enforcement officer of the year award by La Societe Des Hommes Et 8 Chevaux.

Following his retirement from the Delaware State Police he became Director of Public Safety at the Catholic University of America, located in Washington DC. He was credited with professionalizing the force by the Reverend William Byron, President of Catholic University of America. He served three terms as president of the Association of Retired Delaware State Police. He served over two years as chairman of the Delaware Police Chiefs Foundation, and president of the National Guard Association of Delaware for several years. He served as national president of Operation Care, and secretary of Delaware State Police Chiefs Council. Continuing his lifelong dedication to community service he took part in many organizations: National President of Operation Care; Secretary of Delaware State Police Chiefs Council; and the New Castle Rotary Club for over 20 years, holding several offices; Men of Malvern for more than 20 years; and President of his association in Kings Point, Sun City Center, Florida for 10 years.

An avid fan of Notre Dame football, Reds attended many games at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend, Indiana, several bowl games throughout the United States and even two games in Ireland. He attended at least one Notre Dame football game a year for 40 plus years. Reds also loved to play golf; and enjoyed his many Space Available Military flight trips to Germany, Fatima, Spain and Budapest.

Family and friends are invited to visit on Thursday, July 20, 2023 at the Doherty Funeral Home, 3200 Limestone Road, Wilmington, DE 19808 from 4:00 – 7:00pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30am on Friday, July 21, 2023, at St. John the Beloved Church, 907 Milltown Road, Wilmington, DE 19808. Interment will be held in Gracelawn Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests donations to: Camp Barnes, 37171 Camp Barnes Road, Frankford, Delaware 19945; Little Sisters of the Poor 185 Salem Church Road, Newark, Delaware 19713; or Delaware State Police Museum, 1425 N DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901.

The family would like to thank Delaware Hospice for their kind and gentle care; and a very special thanks to "Colonel" Joan Denney, a retired nurse and very dear friend. She dropped everything and became his private, live-in nurse for the last several weeks and made it possible to keep Norm at home.

Colonel Cochran received his final transfer and is now serving eternal patrol.