Lubbock Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Friday, July 13, 2001
Age: 38
Tour of Duty: 16 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire (Inadvertent)
Date of Incident: July 13, 2001
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Shot and wounded
Sergeant Kevin Cox was accidentally shot and killed as he and other SWAT team members entered a home during a standoff with a man known to have several weapons.
Officers were initially called to the home during a domestic dispute involving the man and his wife. After the wife left the home, the man dragged several pieces of furniture into the yard, doused them with gasoline, and then set them on fire. When officers arrived at approximately 1100 hours, the man was holed up inside the house.
At approximately 3:15 PM, officers began to clear all of the windows in the house by knocking the glass out and removing any blinds obstructing the view into the home. As they did so, shots were fired and Sergeant Cox was accidentally struck in the head from a shot fired by members of the SWAT team. Other officers returned fire, wounding the suspect. Officers then fired tear gas into the home, affecting the arrest of the man after he crawled out.
Sergeant Cox had served with the Lubbock Police Department for 16 years. He is survived by his wife and two children.