Officer William Cotter
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
California
End of Watch: Monday, July 27, 1903

Biographical Info
Age: Not available
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Stabbed
Date of Incident: Monday, July 27, 1903
Weapon Used: Edged weapon
Suspect Info: Two shot and killed

Officer Cotter was stabbed and killed at 13 prisoners escaped from the Folsom Penitentiary. The prisoners, who were armed with knives and razors, attacked the prison staff. They stabbed and killed Officer Cotter and seriously wounded several other members of the prison guard staff.

The suspects then took th officers guns and escaped from the prison by using the prison guards as shields as they fled. Two suspects were shot and killed during the ensuing manhunt. The remaining 11 were arrested and returned to prison. Two were executed for the murder and one committed suicide in his cell.

Two members of the state militia were also shot and killed during the manhunt.