Police Officer Nicola Diane Cotton, New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana

Police Officer Nicola Diane Cotton

New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana

End of Watch Monday, January 28, 2008

Nicola Diane Cotton

Officer Nicola Cotton was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a rape suspect in a parking lot off of Earhart Boulevard.

As she attempted to put a handcuff on the man, who was twice her size, he pulled away and began to struggle. During the struggle she lost control of her radio, but was able to recover it and called for assistance. As the struggle continued the suspect gained control of Officer Cotton's baton, and struck her with it. He was then able to gain control of her duty weapon and shot her fifteen times.

Responding units arrived at the scene approximately two minutes after Officer Cotton was shot and located the suspect still holding her service weapon. He was taken into custody by the responding officers.

On September 30, 2010, the suspect, who had a history of paranoid schizophrenia, was determined to be mentally incompetent and committed at a state mental hospital in Jackson.

Officer Cotton had served with the New Orleans Police Department for two years and was eight weeks pregnant at the time of her murder.

Bio

Age 24
Tour 2 years
Badge 1869

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Committed

Most Recent Reflection

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I remember the day vividly, a visiting officer in the great city of N.O. I was standing at the Duty Desk conversing with the D.O merely looking to exchange patches when the radio broke silence and Officer Cottons cry for help came over. The station emptied and I was left standing So many times when this signal occurs in our own jurisdiction you're able to react and provide assistance accordingly. In this case I could only stand and listen to the horrific chain of events unfold. I remember hearing mention of her then young daughter and my heart sank. GOD BLESS you Officer Cotton and thank you for your service. I think of you often when reflecting on that trip and the newspaper headline I saved in your memory.

Lieutenant L.Waldridge
Elkton Maryland Police Department

January 22, 2018