Oceana police chief dies of massive heart attack

Oceana's police chief, a 29-year veteran of the department, died Sunday morning.

Oceana Mayor Nola Rose said Chief Eddie Cozort died of a massive heart attack.

"He was one of the most humble men I have ever known," she said. "He was a very good police officer and chief. He was very well-respected. I don't know of any enemy he ever had. Our town has had a great loss. He was a good family man."

Cozort had been with the department for 29 years and was appointed chief in 2001, according to information from Rose and the police department.

According to information from Evans Funeral Home, Cozort was 47 years old. He was pronounced dead at Raleigh General Hospital.

Rose said Cozort did have health problems in the past and had open heart surgery about 10 years ago.

Patrolman Jeff Barlow, a 10-year officer with the department, has been appointed to fill Cozort's position, Rose said.

"Jeff will do a wonderful job," she said. "He is very well-liked and well-respected. I'm sure Chief Cozort would have wanted this also. They were very close friends."

Barlow said the department is in shock, but is determined to carry on in the way Cozort ran the department.

"It was a shock to us," Barlow said. "He was a good friend and a very good police officer. We will try to go on and pattern things in the way he was running things before.

"We have a very close police department. We will work together and make the police department have the good reputation it has always had."

Barlow said Cozort was always friendly and fair, showing no favoritism toward any particular person when he had to do his job.

Funeral arrangements are pending at Evans Funeral Home, Barlow said. They are incomplete at this time.