SGT. CHARLES COCHRANE 1943-2008 HAS PASSED

[admin]

SGT. CHARLES COCHRANE 1943-2008 HAS PASSED AWAY

It is with profound sadness that I have learned of the death of retired Sergeant Charles Cochrane. He made everything we do as gay and lesbian law enforcement professionals possible. He is the ground breaker for us all. Without his courage and vision there would be no GOAL's, LEGAL's, BLUE PRIDE's or anything of that nature. Charlie founded the first chapter of the Gay Officer's Action League in New York in 1982 after testifying at a New York City Council Meeting in November 1981 that he was gay and proud of being a New York City Police Officer. Personally, when I heard that, my life changed. When I finally summoned up the courage to contact him after GOAL was founded, he eased my fears and welcomed me to his group and soon asked me to be a board member. It was an honor to serve under him. He became a good friend and a strong mentor to me and I follow his advice to this day. Although GOAL in New York today bears absolutely no resemblance to what Charlie began, other groups around the country carry the torch he passed to all of us when he retired from the NYPD and GOAL. He retired from NYPD in 1987, telling me, "I don't want to play anymore". And he stepped down from the Presidency of GOAL to become Executive Director. Peter Guardino, another legend, assumed the Presidency from Charlie.
Within a year or two after retiring, Charlie moved to a couple of locations around the country, finally settling in Florida. He knew what he started and didn't feel that he should be part of it forever. He planted the seed and watched the tree grow and stepped back. That was Charlie's way. His way was to not let anyone feel sorry for him or in some cases even let people see him after he became ill with this dreaded cancer. Again, I understood Charlie perfectly. That is Charlie to the max. Unassuming, honest, pragmatic while humorous, loving and caring. In the end, he didn't even want to communicate with people because of his feeling weak and tired. In his last e-mail that I have, he basically said I don't want to do any e-mails till I feel better. Not getting any e-mails lately was a bad sign for me. Charlie was never far from my thoughts. My prayers weren't answered this time. But in a way, maybe they were. For all the loss I feel right now and the loss the real early members of GOAL feel, I can't help but think of something positive about Charlie's passing. I think that since many of the original real GOAL members have passed away and are in Heaven, their Heavenly GOAL meetings are getting just a little loud and boisterous as they used to in the early 1980's here on Earth. Maybe it was time for Charlie to get himself to Heaven and take the reigns of the Presidency of GOAL-HEAVEN. I hope early GOAL members such as Peter Guardino, Joe Coss, Al Block, Fred Agresti, Kevin Flanigan, Ben Licciardi and the rest who've passed, were there to greet him and welcome him to his new life. I hope everyone realizes that a real leader has passed from us. I hope his influence and ideals live on forever. God bless you, Sarge.

[maxwelldaemon]

I can't imagine how different my career would have been had GOAL not been around. I was already on the job when I had the "moment of clarity" regarding my orientation. If it weren't for those "loud and boisterous" meetings, my life would have been quite different. I have met many incredible folk through my involvement with the group; and many are now life-long friends.

Thank you, Charlie. You are with us always.

[maxwelldaemon]

Charles Cochrane, Founder of GOAL, Dead at 64

By: DAVID ROTHENBERG
05/15/2008

Charles H. Cochrane passed away on Monday, May 5. He was 64 years old, retired, and living in Pompano Beach, Florida. Charlie was a former New York City cop, and the founder and first president of the Gay Officers Action League (GOAL).

I first met Charlie at Julius' on a summer night in 1981. We recognized each other from the neighborhood, both being long time Villagers.

A group of us would gather at Julius' almost nightly, a wind-down after a meeting, a protest, or a rally. It was a time of political and social action. AIDS had just surfaced, a city gay rights bill was on our agenda, and the Village was alive with social consciousness.

Charlie always seemed interested in those of us who were activists. He was filled with questions about the emerging mainstream political activism that was shaping the gay community.

I liked him from the get-go - his humor, his humanity, his no-nonsense, blue-collar directness.

One night, a group of police officers invaded the premises and grabbed a customer and dragged him outside. I rose to protest and Charlie sat me down, then went outside, talked to the cops, and came back and explained what was taking place.

I said, "Charlie, you're a cop." He confirmed that he was and talked at length and in considerable detail about being a cop in New York City and being a gay man. Charlie made it clear that he liked being a cop but didn't like being in the closet.

How to reconcile that? I suggested he choreograph his coming out, making it a celebration, rather than an unexpected or unwanted discovery.

In those days, each year there was a City Council hearing regarding the proposed gay rights bill. Our aim with the legislation wasn't very complicated. We merely wanted sexual orientation added to the list that protected groups of people from being discriminated against in employment, housing, and public accommodations. It was a basic human rights issue.

gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19694009&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568862&rfi=6

[hoosiercop]

Even for me being someone who never had the privilege of meeting Charles, when it was announced at the conference that he had just passed away, it hit like a brick to the face.

How much harder would it have been for so many of us without someone like Charles to lead the way with such bravery and distinction?

[burner]

GOAL REMEMBERS CHARLIE COCHRANE
05/15/2008

On May 12, Detective Thomas Verni, the NYPD's citywide GLBT community liaison and the executive director of GOAL, issued the following statement regarding the death of Charles Cochrane: "Every officer who is gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgendered owes a debt of gratitude to Charles Cochrane as it was his trailblazing vision and work to ensure that all law enforcement officers should be treated professionally and respectfully regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity that helped to change a homophobic and transphobic mindset in policing." Verni noted that the first GOAL meeting in New York had scarcely more than a dozen members, but that the organization now has chapters across the United States and around the world.

www.gaycitynews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19694011&BRD=2729&PAG=461&dept_id=568862&rfi=6

[mitch]

Though I am neither as eloquent nor as expressive as David, I can say that I'm so very glad to see the Charlie's passing was shared with the organization which he founded. While I was only Charlie's s/o for a period of two years, we remained family for over 21 years.

I have to say Charlie knowing and unknowing contributed to changing the lives of a great number of folks in his many acts of bravery. He provided me with a shining example of what can be accomplished if we have the fortitude. Such a strong man, he was.

I had the opportunity to be a part of Charlie's life and so for at the very least these, I will forever consider myself blessed and know I was loved.

Charlie, I'll miss you babe and so will many, many others.

Mitch

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.
As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly, and listen to others,
even to the dull and ignorant;
they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be
greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career
however humble;
it is a real possession in the
changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.
Therefore, be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham,
drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive to be happy.

[maxwelldaemon]

Thanks for sharing, Mitch. Care to offer any more insights about Charlie?

BTW; credit where credit is due...

The poem is Desiderata; by Max Ehrmann, I believe...?

[mitch]

Well maxwell - thanks for post on the poem... I searched for a while before I found the author when I first found the poem. Hopefully, someone will benefit from the information.

Insights on Charlie? I guess that's why I posted the poem. It's so enormously difficult to sum up a 21 year relationship, but I can say unequivocally Charlie embodied each of the sentiments in the poem.

I've learned so very many life lessons by being in Charlie's life, but the most important lessons I learned was strength. When Charlie chose to be so, he was immovable. Though I wouldn't say he was so much so in a stubborn way. When he was morally right on a subject, there was no stopping him... I think his friends would attest to that.

Charlie was, well... lord, I don't know... the best person I have ever encountered and I am ever likely to meet again in the future. I'm terribly regretful that I didn't get to be around him in his last months.

Anyone having questions on the matter, please feel free to contact me at any time by email using [e-mail]

[bluepride]

It would be nice to see some anecdotal stories/remembrances here, so some of our members could get an insight into how Charlie was. His humor, his strengths, his determination,etc. A good number of members here knew him personally.

[Deleted]

The first time I met Charlie was when I went down to Fort Lauderdale in 1994 to interview him for the GOAL Gazette. The name of the article was "A conversation With Number One" What impressed me the most about him was his intensity in advocating for LGBT criminal justice professionals. He was bright, charming and showed nothing but respect for those of us in this business. He waisted no time in telling me that non uniformed personnel have great skills and value to bring to the table so they must always be included in our activities. He wanted GOAL to never forget that it made no difference if we came from correction, parole, probation or any other agency. We are all the same and we must work together to meet our goals.
I was very happy when he told me that the very first Law Enforcement fraternity to acknowledge and accept GOAL into the NYPD was the Guardians, the African American fraternity. They have been our strongest alli since the beginning. Charles said, and I agreed with him,"How could they not support us. they know what it means to be discrimated against."
Charlie loved us all and I know that there was nothing he would not do to protect and defend us. After the interview was over, he hung around for a while and we just talked. The last things he said that night were how much he appreciated the fine job Jimmy AtoZ was doing editing the GOAL Gazette. He also held the executive board, at that time, in high regard. He was well aware of the struggles we had had and the successes we had experienced. He gave kudos to Tommy, Colleen, and Odonald. As he was walking out the door, he paused, turned around, and hugged me. Then he took my hand, looked into my eyes and said "thank you Carroll. GOAL is in good hands:

[admin]

I received an e-mail from a former co-worker of Charlie Cochrane who saw our thread on Charlie's passing. It is posted here, with slight editing and with permission in order to give even more insight into what a great guy Charlie was. Thanks, Chief, for writing this and I hope you're having a good retirement!

I learned today that Charlie Cochran passed away about 2 years ago.

I found your site on the web where remembrances were posted and there was a call for anecdotes on Charlie.
It is never late to remember a friend and great man
So you might post this if you wish

I rode with Charlie in the 71 pct conditions Car in 1972.
We made arrests for major offences every night.
He could see in the dark, knew every procedure, and every law, and treated every one with the highest respect, pauper or boss, criminal or victim

Every cop in a very tough precinct respected him - 12 cops had been shot in the precinct in the prior 4 years

A new commander was assigned, Charlie Kelly
He was tough on the slackers, but backed up the active cops

Many of the officers wanted to wage a job action and called a meeting with 100 officers in attendance.
Several stood up and loudly complained about the new commander. Charlie waited, then asked to speak, was acknowledged, and then gave a 5 minute talk on integrity and professionalism.

The room was silent.

The job action was defeated and we all went back to work
His courage and influence were amazing !

A few years later Charlie was being promoted to Sergeant
I think it was 1978. I was now in the Legal Bureau while attending law school Charlie called to ask he a question.
He said that when he makes Sergeant he will announce that he is gay. And he will start a gay officers fraternal group. He wanted to know if the name of the group was legal. He said it would be called GOAL Gay Officers Action League.

Now stop and remember 1978. We didn't use the word "gay" except for derision. So I said I think you should avoid the word "Gay".

He laughed and said "No, that word stays. I want to shakeup the thinking about gay people". He said he wanted to know if he could legally use the word "officer". There was no law against using the word so he went ahead and created the group.

I understand from reading these blogs that the GOAL was not formed until after the 1982 Council meeting but surely Charlie had done some work earlier. The date doesn't matter.
What matters was Charlie cared about doing things right even when he was going to upset the Big Apple cart.

A great loss but hopefully his honesty and courage will inspire others to stand up for right.

Regards

[burner]

What a fantastic and inspiring tribute to Charlie Cochrane. He was truly a trailblazer and the debt owed to him is incalculable. I've always regretted that I never had the honor of meeting him. And I'd love to have heard his comments on integrity and professionalism. From all I've heard of him, from those who knew him, he exemplified those very qualities.

[bluepride]

I was going to post this in the "What Bad Happened Today" thread but thought it might be more fitting here. I learned a little while ago that the NY City Council voted today to rename 56 streets around New York City. Included in those streets to be renamed there were some names really deserving of the honor while others were questionable at best. Det. Rafael Ramos and Det. WenJian Liu were among the honorees, which is great in my opinion. But sadly, the name of Sergeant Charles Cochrane (R.I.P.) was not included in those 56 names. He founded the Gay Officers Action League and was instrumental in changing the lives and careers of many Police Officers not only in New York but around the United States and in a very real sense, the world. His name was submitted a few years ago and years later it still has not happened.

I'm pretty disappointed right now that he did not receive this honor. But Charlie, we still honor you every day that we wake up and put the uniform on because of what you did. And for us retirees, we are honored still by the friendship, example and courage that you showed us and taught us for so many years.

[bluepride]

I learned yesterday that the man who co-founded GOAL with Charlie Cochrane passed away this past Sunday evening. We were also friends for years but somewhere along the way he and I parted from our friendship, for the most part. Without going into details here, I'll just say he (along with 2 others) did some nasty, underhanded stuff to me and my character. So we weren't going to be going for pastry any time. It's many years later and to some extent, water under the bridge. I like to think that even at my age, my parents raised me right so I will be going to his wake and funeral with some other old GOAL veterans. I am saddened at his passing after all is said and done and I will attend for his nephew ( a great guy) and for Charlie. And there are at least two punch lines that I'm sooo tempted to say but right now they would be inappropriate. He has done good and he has also do some not so good. But he's gone and I wish him eternal peace.

[bluepride]

I went to the wake and service a few days ago. Saw some old friends and some others that I hadn't seen in a few years. All in all it was nice but it seems that some people never change. But I didn't let them affect me. It was nice to see most of them and talk about how great it is to be retired!