Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Thank you for your service.

Tim Liddell
CA Hwy Patrol 5342 ( retired )

September 3, 2023

Officer Cote was my wife Lori's cousin. I'm a retired police officer myself, from Tennessee. Officer Cote was posthumously awarded the LAPD's highest honor, the Medal of Valor. Actor Jack Webb narrated the ceremony on September 22, 1970.

Ken Haney, Patrolman P-4 (Retired), Jackson Police Dept, TN

July 31, 2023

We are in the Rite aid parking lot. I just saw your memorial sign. I googled your name. Wow. I'm so sorry. Thank you for trying to make our beautiful city safer. Rest in peace.

Tracy Ray
Passersby

July 3, 2021

Rest in peace always knowing that your police and military service and sacrifice will always be remembered by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 31, 2020

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you Hero for your sacrifice and service to this country. Never forgotten.

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

July 31, 2019

Officer Cote,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army in Vietnam. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

July 31, 2019

Rest in peace Policeman Cote.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

March 29, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother in Blue. Thank you and your family for your sacrifice and service,

Officer Mike Robinson (Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

July 31, 2018

On October 9, 2015, there will be a memorial service at Hollywood Station for the 8 Officers from that Division killed in the line of duty.
I still remember that day in 1969 when Bob was killed. I was one of the pall bearers at Bob's funeral and met and remained friends with his family. Bob's son went on to become a Police Officer in Cypress, California. I will always honor and remember Bob and his courage on that day when he gave his life for his fellow man.

Retired Detective John E Miller #13738
Los Angeles Police Department

September 6, 2015

Bob worked days while I worked PM's and had our lockers next to each other upstairs at the Hwd station. We spoke many times at EOW. I remember him taking his new born son into the station one day and I held him in my arms for a minute or so.
I think of Bob a lot and knowing he could have been saved if he had been taken to the Presbyterian hospital on Vermont.
RIP Bob.

P-3 Keenan
LAPD (Ret)

June 3, 2015

My name is Mary Spadoni, officer Cote and I graduated from police academies at the same time in 1968. We met on a call and became friends. A couple of months later I was shocked and saddened to read about his death. It was the first loss of a brother in blue and everyday I realize he gave the ultimate sacrifice. Im retired (25 years) and I still think of him often as a symbol of bravery and honor...to remenber and honor, never to forget.

Mary Spadoni. investifator
OCDA

December 5, 2014

Uncle Bobby, although we never had the chance to get to know each other as I was only 8 when you were taken from us you have always been in my heart. Mom, Dad (Alice & Charles Lowe) and all your brothers & sisters have always made sure we all knew who you were and how we lost you. I love seeing your pictures from when you were young up until the time you were taken from us. Thanks to the fact we have always been a very close family I have had the honor and pleasure of meeting Bobby Jr., and his beautiful family. Your son from what I can see is made from your mold! He has made you very proud! I am very proud to be sitting in your family tree. Thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice of your life for the protection of others. Looking forward to the day a walk those stairs to the heaven's above and get to see you! Sending up lots of Love!

Deanne M. Lowe
Niece
Thousand Oaks, CA
December 5, 2014

December 5, 2014

I am Tom Evans, now a retired 30-year California State Park Ranger/Peace Officer. My wife, Yolanda, & I met Officer Robert Cote in the Spring of 1969. He was the responding police officer to a disturbance call about us at the parking lot at Sunset Blvd. & Fairfax Ave. in Hollywood. My wife & I had eloped and were married on 1/3/69. Her father disapproved of our marriage & consequently kidnapped her & threatened my life. Following that, during ongoing secret phone calls to me, she repeatedly asked that I do nothing so time could cool the situation down. I cooperated with her requests. After weeks of many calls, family reconciliation attempts, progress with legal habeas corpus charges against her father, & finally being informed that her father was attempting to coordinate an abortion for my wife who was pregnant, I was now attempting to "kidnap" my wife back. She still feared for my life & therefore was uncooperative in leaving with me. I was nineteen-years-old & my wife was eighteen. That's the call to which young Officer Cote responded. After lengthy discussion & negotiation between the three of us, Officer Cote finally convinced my wife to leave with me. Our son was born 8/22/69 in Los Angeles. In the interim, Officer Cote had been killed in the line of duty. Because of Officer Cote's direct effectiveness dealing with & helping to resolve our family situation, we named our son Robert Cote Evans. Mrs. Cote & her son, Robert Cote, Jr., came to our home in gracious respect where we all met. Over the years, our family is reminded of the story of Officer Robert Cote, & we will continue to be reminded for generations to come. God has blessed us all with Officer Robert Cote.

Tom Evans

State Park Ranger/Peace Ofcr. Tom Evans
California State Parks, retired #606

November 17, 2014

I wish I would have had the opportunity to have gotten to know you, from what I have read you were a good man, may you rest in peace Uncle Robert. Maybe I can have the chance to meet the rest of the family some day. For the other family members please feel free to contact me at 310-995-6130

Jeff W. Cote Sr.
Nephew

September 11, 2014

Twenty three years old. He was just a kid, although serving in Vietnam and being an LAPD officer, even for just a short time, this young man probably saw more and did more than most people ever will in their entire life time. RIP brother. It is obvious from all of these reflections from your family, friends and co-workers that you were loved and respected. You definitely left your mark on this world and have been in a better place since where you remain forever young.

Sergeant
A Massachusetts Police Agency

August 2, 2014

Love & miss u sooooo much sister caroll I will see u some day.

Sister
Sister

March 3, 2013

Bobby was my baby brother and I loved him very much and miss him . Very much.
Rest in my my baby brother

Irene Cote Runyon
Sister

February 8, 2013

I am the oldest sister of Bob I and my husband and brothers and other members of our family have attended many memorials at Hollywood Station and LAPD HQRTS and other sites. We still miss him and will never forget.

Alice M Lowe
Oldest sister

February 8, 2013

Thank you for this information I am LEO J COTE" Jr Brother of Robert I am also very proud of him he was my baby Brother

Family
Brother

February 7, 2013

I was one of the officers who responded to the call at the Woolworths, and saw Bob lying in front of the store. Tony Diaz and I responded to the back of the store and confronted suspect Mayberry as he tried to escape with the hostage. I am honored to have brought this armed vicious criminal to justice. I think of Bob often; have a picture of his name etched in the Police Officers Memorial in Washington DC, and honor him with a silent prayer every year on July 31.

Bert Graves Sgt (ret'd)
LAPD #11743

November 27, 2012

RIP Sir

James Kotke
Civilian / Former Officer
WSF Park Police (Wi.)

July 31, 2012

Rest in Peace, Policeman Cote. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

January 14, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 41rst anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service to my home state. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I am sure that you are proud that your son continues your legacy of protecting and serving.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Phyllils Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

July 31, 2010

Policeman Cote - I ended up writing an article about all Hollywood Officers killed in the line-of-duty. I re-visited the scene of your incident. You should know that your death changed the way things were done in regards to wounded police officers and firefighter. The old system of a police/fire ambulance being dispatched from the old City-operated Central Receiving Hospital (located where the new LAPD Rampart Station now sits) city-wide to handle injured/wounded PD and FD personnel was stopped. Injured cops and firefighter were now taken by ambulance to the nearest E/R for critical care. Others have lived as a result of your passing. Thanks for your service to the people of Los Angeles. Your star is out in front of the Hollywood Station. May God grant you eternal rest and may His perpetual light shine upon you.

Chief K. Moreland (Ret. Sgt.)
Palmer Lake, CO PD (Ret. LAPD)

April 13, 2010

Robert and I were classmates at the LAPD Police Academy and we kept in touch after graduation; rest in peace brother you are not forgotten.

Former Officer LAPD DrPaul Blake (Monty)
LAPD Classate Class 4/68

May 20, 2009