New Orleans police officer killed by vagrant
January 29th, 2008 . by TexasFredNEW ORLEANS (AP) - A vagrant wanted for questioning in a rape overpowered a police officer who was trying to handcuff him, then shot her to death with her own weapon Monday, police said.The officer’s death was a blow to this city, where hopes were high that a new year could hold back a wave of crime that has been a dark backdrop to the rebuilding effort since Hurricane Katrina.
“When it hits home like this, it hits you tremendously,” said Police Superintendent Warren Riley, who was charged with energizing a demoralized police force in the 2005 storm’s wake.Officer Nicola Cotton, 24, approached the suspect in her police cruiser and began questioning him. When she tried to handcuff him he attacked her, and a seven-minute fight ensued, Riley said.
The officer managed to use her radio during the struggle to call for backup, but the man grabbed her weapon and shot her repeatedly, Riley said.
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New Orleans police officer killed by vagrant
Any time an officer goes down in the line of duty it’s a terrible thing, they are out there, every day, 24 hours a day, they sacrifice themselves to protect us, they do the best they can to clean the streets of America, clean them from the dangers of the human garbage that threaten us all, and for the most part, they do their jobs very well and to the family of this officer I say, God bless you, may you find peace in this, she died doing the job she loved, she fought valiantly and she was an officer to be proud of, I hope you can find some peace in that thought.
We are a police family, with several relatives that are retired from police work and some still on active duty in their departments, we understand what the family is going through and offer our most sincere condolences.Rest in peace Officer Nicola Cotton.
Damn shame. My first reaction would be to unload on the culprit, but I’ll leave that for another day.
Prayers in route for the families of the fallen.
My thoughts are with her family.
That is a horrendously sad tale in a city that some would agree is beyond redemption. Such a needless loss. Our hearts and prayers are with her family, friends and department.
BZ