Puerto Rico Police Department, Puerto Rico
End of Watch: Sunday, August 19, 1951
Age: 37
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 19, 1951
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Shot and killed
Detective Rafael Cotto-Casillas was shot and killed while searching for a prison escapee.
Detective Cotto-Casillas and his partner had gone to the home of the escapee's mother to interview her. Both detectives began to leave after the woman denied knowing where her son was. As they walked from the home the escapee opened fire on them, striking Detective Cotto-Casillas in the back.
The other detective was able to return fire and killed the subject.