New Orleans Police Department
Louisiana
End of Watch: Monday, January 28, 2008
Cause: Gunfire
Biographical Info
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 2 years
Badge Number: 1869 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.
Officer Cotton had served with the New Orleans Police Department for two years and was eight weeks pregnant at the time of her murder. | 
