May 12, 2023 – Charlotte County, FL
CCSO Professional Compliance Manager, Terry Cochran, Jr., was officially sworn in as an attorney on May 2, 2023.
Sgt. Cochran began his law enforcement career in 2003, noting that his reason for joining law enforcement actually stemmed from his service in the US Air Force. He valued the comradery that came with that atmosphere, and a friend convinced him to try law enforcement with Bennington County Sheriff’s Office in Vermont. There, he served as a member of Road Patrol, as a School Resource Officer, as a member of the Traffic Unit, and he is credited with starting the Community Policing Unit. He also ran week-long summer camps with the US Army National Guard Command, teaching leadership skills to at-risk youths. It is not an understatement to say that he fell in love with the career.
In July 2006, Cochran moved back to Florida and joined the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office after spending a great deal of time looking into all of the agencies in the area. What made him choose Charlotte County was the support of the community and the way that the agency did everything they could to help the people even when their issue was not criminal in nature. This relationship between the agency and the people of the community was the deciding factor for him.
“We live here, we work here, and we care about what happens here… and that is what I believe sets CCSO apart from other good agencies in our area. “
Terry Cochran, esq.
In his early days at CCSO, Cochran was a Road Patrol deputy, a K9 decoy, and a Field Training Officer before joining the Detective Bureau in 2010. He promoted to Detective Corporal and eventually found himself promoting to Sergeant. As Sergeant, he again served in Road Patrol, then moved to the Economic Crimes Unit, Major Case Unit, and Court Services in 2017. This was when he began the journey to his law degree. While working toward the law degree, he continued to serve as a Sergeant in the Internal Affairs Unit before accepting another promotion to Professional Compliance Manager in 2021.
All throughout law school, through the late nights and early mornings, missed birthdays, family events and holidays, Cochran stayed motivated to finish what he set out to do. He credits the support of both of his families – home and CCSO – as well as Judge Mason himself, who served as a mentor and counsel for Cochran. Lastly, he added that he was also driven by a dedication to continuing to serve even when his law enforcement career twilights.
Cochran completed his program and graduated with his Juris Doctorate degree. He then passed the Florida Bar exam and was sworn in as an attorney by the Honorable Judge Mason of Charlotte County on May 2, 2023. His goal now is to serve his community the best he can as a member of the Sheriff’s legal team, and to eventually have a chance to take an extended road trip with his family and visit as many national parks as possible.
“I am so proud of what Terry has accomplished, and I want to commend him for his dedication to the agency and the people of Charlotte County throughout this process. Law school is not easy for anyone, and balancing a full-time career and a family life at the same time makes his achievement that much more meaningful. He is the definition of perseverance.”
Sheriff Bill Prummell
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