NOLA Police Officer killed with her own gun

[Intrepid Dad]

Here is some tragic news out of New Orleans. A female police office was killed with her own gun after attempting to arrest a suspect wanted for rape. Those of us who are not in law enforcement don't have to deal with issues like arresting someone. This gives me even more of an appreciation for the dangerous job LEO's perform, especially in a place like New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS —A vagrant wanted for questioning in a rape overpowered a 24-year-old 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's psyche, where hopes are high that a new year would yield results in holding back a wave of crime that has been a dark backdrop to the rebuilding effort since Hurricane Katrina.

Here's the link to the full article:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,326148,00.html

 

[Ske1etor]

Yep, its sickening. I live about 10 minutes from downtown N.O.

 

[NG VI]

a seven minute fight before he murdered her? that's awful, really a shame that not one single person saw that going on. then again i'm not too familiar with heavily populated areas, i don't know if anyone would have helped her out. depressing

 

[Ske1etor]

There were bystanders and they just stood there and watched.

 

[buzz_knox]

There were bystanders and they just stood there and watched.

According to many on the forums, they did the "right" thing by being "good witnesses."

 

[Ske1etor]

Yep, I guess so. I would rather be a fallen hero than a good witness. Especially when there is a female on the dangerous end of the barrel.

 

[strat81]

Why aren't officers in one of the highest-crime cities in the country traveling with partners?

After growing up in NYC and moving out (thank god), it was a shock to see cops on patrol by themselves.

 

[Ske1etor]

They are traveling alone because half of them bugged out after the hurricane and most of them haven't been replaced yet. This officer actually signed up to help replenish the loss of officers after the hurricane.

The simple answer is that they don't have enough police officers.

 

[Shadowangel]

According to many on the forums, they did the "right" thing by being "good witnesses."

I agree..

I couldn't stand by and watch something like that happen, and I have a hard time believing the police would pursue charges on someone that saved the life of a cop.

 

[Ske1etor]

I couldn't stand by and watch something like that happen, and I have a hard time believing the police would pursue charges on someone that saved the life of a cop.

I know our DA pretty well and have spent a few hours talking with him and he has straight up stated that if a person was threatening a police officers life and you took action and saved that officer, not only would you not face any charges but you would probably be made out to look like a local hero.

 

[Harley Quinn]

This kind of thing has gone on for as long as I can remember. Back in the late 60's officers put out a help call and were fighting, we were the closest car there and it took us (2 man) 10 minutes to get there. The officers and suspects were still fighting when we got there.

Large crowd standing around. No help. Officers said they fought and kept the Suspects from taking there guns. I asked them, why not shoot them? If that is the case

Neither one of them felt it was necessary to go to that extreme, figured we were closer. A major error in their judgement, they were feeling very foolish after some others made fun of them and would not work with either of them as partners.

Interesting situation at the time, one was let go later for failure to protect himself, he quit and was later, pensioned off.

HQ

 

[230RN]

Of course they couldn't help.

All their guns were rusting away in Ray's Cavern of Shame.

 

[Jimmypop97]

Here is a link to here myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=120519659

 

[romma]

There was a thread here a coupla years or so ago regarding a ccw holder shooting a BG and saving an officers life.

From the article I read, people saw the shooting, but not the struggle beforehand.

 

[scrat]

wow this is sad news. dont know somebody should have helped

 

[DuncanSA]

There were several "witnesses". Why didn't someone help the officer in trouble? Have you yanks lost all guts in favour "being politically correct"?

 

[Ske1etor]

There were several "witnesses". Why didn't someone help the officer in trouble? Have you yanks lost all guts in favour "being politically correct"?

First of all, don't lump every "Yank" in with the scumbags that live in that portion of the city of New Orleans. It is a high crime area that would be better off nuked into a parking lot.

People in that area aren't being politically correct, they don't like police officers.

 

[Nail Shooter]

Quote:
Ske1etor
New Member
Join Date: 01-29-08

"They are traveling alone because half of them bugged out after the hurricane and most of them haven't been replaced yet. This officer actually signed up to help replenish the loss of officers after the hurricane.

The simple answer is that they don't have enough police officers."

The real answer is that she was killed by stupidity as much as the bullets from her gun. The most dangerous city in the US and officers ride alone, and then try to arrest a possible felon? Gimme a break. Command really needs to get a grip.
Are the NOLA firefighters running into burning buildings in T shirts and jeans because they are short on equipment? I think not.
May her soul rest in peace, and teach the mayor and "the force" a lesson learned the hard way--hopefully no more lives will be lost in that manner down there.

Nail

 

[RLsnow]

sad 7 minute fight, people can put out a lot of effort when their life is in danger.

 

[Ske1etor]

The real answer is that she was killed by stupidity as much as the bullets from her gun. The most dangerous city in the US and officers ride alone, and then try to arrest a possible felon? Gimme a break. Command really needs to get a grip.
Are the NOLA firefighters running into burning buildings in T shirts and jeans because they are short on equipment? I think not.
May her soul rest in peace, and teach the mayor and "the force" a lesson learned the hard way--hopefully no more lives will be lost in that manner down there.

Command is attempting to get a grip and is actually doing a decent job in the past couple of months. They are just severely short on officers.

But this is the thing. He wasn't the person she was looking for. She simply walked up to him to question him.

And New Orleans isn't even in the top 25 of most dangerous cities at this time.

 

[Zoogster]

Of course they couldn't help.

All their guns were rusting away in Ray's Cavern of Shame.

Hard to stand around while the wrong thing is done, but hard not to resent the very people that would actively disarm you at the muzzle of a gun while you are in the most dire need of self defense.

There was a thread here a coupla years or so ago regarding a ccw holder shooting a BG and saving an officers life.

From the article I read, people saw the shooting, but not the struggle beforehand.

That will usualy be the case. After the first shot everyone around will be aware and looking. Prior to that only a handful, and that handful might not later come forward. That means many people we will "see" a shooting, especialy a legal shooting in self defense where the shooter does not flee right away. However most of those "witnesses" to the shooting will not know what led up to the shooting. So in thier minds you will be the aggressor unless other details strongly influance them you are not.

For example if the officer was shot, and then you pulled out a firearm and shot the perp after that initial shot, many people would be looking who hadn't been prior to the first shot, and they would see you standing there with a firearm shooting, and a officer (and another person that may or may not get away) down at the scene.
The first assumption to what they are seeing is that you are the shooter, and that downed officer was downed by you.
Some who witnessed what happened prior would know differently, but most would not.
Keep in mind thier likely prior experience or lack of, and quick assumption to hearing shots, seeing shots fired, and seeing you over a fallen officer.

During an investigation things would likely become more clear. Many of those who saw things would never be interviewed, but ballistics and hopefully enough witnesses that saw things leading up to it would stay to piece things together. The officer surviving would help.
That would however happen after other officers responded, and other (more numerous) citizens report recalling (or think they do) seeing you shoot the downed officer. Most witnesses will have only started watching after shots were fired.
Witnesses that only see what happened after the first shot alerted them will always outnumber those who actualy saw what led up to it. And only a fraction of the total witnesses will stay to give thier version of events to investigators.

Things don't all cleanly piece themselves together right away like in the movies and on TV.

 

[Dorryn]

People in that area aren't being politically correct, they don't like police officers.

I dont like police either... but I would jump in to help one without question.

 

[tallpaul]

havin said that I can't stand by and not get involved but the last time I stayed on the phone with 911 for 45 minutes and gave a blow by blow,layout etc for the sherrifs it has cost me time from work and time with investigators etc. It pisses me off considerin all that have DEMANDED my further participation are getting paid to do so while it costs me to take off work- use gas to get to where they demand I be etc... their answer was "well don't get involved if ya don't want to be called as a witness" - believe me those words have been ringing in my head and heart ever since.... be careful of what ya wish for there ya dang lawyers...

 

[XavierBreath]

Misogyny is not tolerated or condoned at THR. Further misogynist comments will be deleted and the authors dealt with.

There were apparently no witnesses to this seven minute ordeal. Nicola Cotton's struggle with her assailant was shielded from passer-by view by her cruiser. She radioed for assistance. Before assistance could arrive, the suspect took her holstered gun from her and murdered her with it. Her assailant was still at the scene when Nicola Cotton's back-up arrived. He was taken into custody. We know what happened because of images on security tape, not because there were witnesses milling around with their hands in their pockets. Lets keep the story straight.

There are a couple of considerations that should be drawn from this story.

1. Handcuffing a criminal is dangerous stuff. There have been members here who stated they would handcuff a home intruder at gun point. This is a good example of why solo handcuffing is not advisable.

2. Your gun can kill you too. If you decide to take a fight to the ground with a gun on your hip, you give your attacker access to your weapon. Do not think that your attacker will be so generous as to not remove your gun and take your life with it. Failing to use your gun quickly enough can be lethal.

FWIW, the CCW holder defending a police officer in South Louisiana actually occured in Baton Rouge. The citizen was Perry Stevens. No charges were filed, but the surviving family and their sock puppets did go after him in court.

 

[Winchester 73]

2. Your gun can kill you too. If you decide to take a fight to the ground with a gun on your hip, you give your attacker access to your weapon. Do not think that your attacker will be so generous as to not remove your gun and take your life with it. Failing to use your gun quickly enough can be lethal.

The best advice possible.