Nassau County Police Department, New York
End of Watch: Wednesday, March 22, 1961
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: 535
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 22, 1961
Weapon Used: Shotgun; 12 gauge
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1988
Patrolman Joseph Coote was shot and killed by one of three armed robbers he was attempting to arrest at the intersection of Brinkerhoff Lane and Third Street in Manhasset.
The suspects fled the scene but were later arrested.
The gunman, age 21, who had the words I HATE COPS tattooed on his chest, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 18, 1988. The other two suspects, both 19, were convicted of manslaughter and robbery and sentenced to 35 to 70 years in prison. One of them was paroled in 1983.
Patrolman Coote was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Nassau County Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, two children, mother, father, three sisters, and a brother.