Corporal Frederick Holmes Cook

Frederick Holmes Cook

Corporal Frederick Cook was shot and killed in a shootout with an armed robbery suspect at the Presidio.

Officers had chased the four suspects 40 blocks through San Francisco at approximately 1:30 A.M., with gunfire exchanged during the high speed chase. When the suspects' car collided with the Presidio wall, three of the suspects were thrown from the car and over the wall.

As police approached the wreckage, the fourth suspect opened fire from behind the car and his first shot struck Corporal Cook in the abdomen. Corporal Cook was able to return fire, killing the suspect. The three accomplices were arrested and charged with armed robbery and murder. Two were sentenced to life in prison and one was sentenced to seven years probation.

Corporal Cook died two days later, almost one month short of his 42nd birthday.

Corporal Cook had served with the San Francisco Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and one son.