New Mexico State Police, New Mexico
End of Watch: Sunday, November 18, 1979
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 18, 1979
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Patrolman David Coker was shot and killed during a traffic stop on I-40 five miles west of Santa Rosa.
The driver immediately exited his car and approached Patrolman Coker's patrol car, where he produced a .38 caliber handgun. He ordered Patrolman Coker to empty his service revolver on the passenger seat. He then had him walk down an embankment on the side of the road.
As Patrolman Coker took off his coat he retrieved his backup weapon from a holster sewn into the coat. Both he and the man fired at the same time. Patrolman Coker's shot struck the subject in the chest, but the man's shot struck Patrolman Coker in face, killing him instantly. The man stumbled back to the patrol car where he collapsed and dropped his weapon. A passerby kicked the handgun away and detained the man, who later died.
Patrolman Coker had served with the New Mexico State Police for four years.