New Orleans Police Department, Louisiana
End of Watch Monday, January 28, 2008
Add to My HeroesNicola Diane Cotton
Police Officer Nicola Cotton was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a rape suspect in a parking lot in the 2100 block 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 30th, 2010, the man, 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
View all 676 ReflectionsNew York State Police last posted a reflection on January 28, 2008. Officer Cotton will never ever be forgotten. RIP.
Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"
August 15, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths

Lieutenant Jeff Bain
DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, AL
EOW: January 3, 2021

Correctional Officer David A. Christensen
Washington State Department of Corrections, WA
EOW: December 29, 2020

Lieutenant John Reynolds
Garden Grove Police Department, CA
EOW: January 17, 2021

Corrections Officer Joseph A. Martini
Ulster County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: January 17, 2021

Police Officer Arturo Villegas
Alamo Police Department, GA
EOW: January 10, 2021

Deputy Sheriff Jon Melvin
Grant County Sheriff's Office, WA
EOW: December 11, 2020

Deputy Sheriff Adam Gibson
Sacramento County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Brandon Stalker
Toledo Police Department, OH
EOW: January 18, 2021

Police Officer Jay Hughes
Kalispel Tribal Police Department, TR
EOW: January 6, 2021