Police Officer Alva Ray Simmons

Alva Ray Simmons

Officer Alva Simmons succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 19 years earlier while responding to a burglary in progress. He had slipped into a coma shortly after the incident and never regained consciousness.

Officer Simmons had responded to the call at a home on Short Street, in the Carrollton area, and was in a crouched position while he approached the home. A suspect inside suddenly opened fire with a .357 caliber revolver. One of the rounds struck Officer Simmons in the chin, damaging his vocal cord and severing an artery.

He had initially been released from the hospital after one month, but within a few weeks he began suffering dizziness and slipped into a coma. Doctors were unable to bring him out of the coma. He was returned to his home and given round-the-clock treatment but never regained consciousness.

At the time of the shooting, Officer Simmons had served with the New Orleans Police Department for 11 years. He is survived by his wife and two sons.