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Argentra Cotton
Incident
Correctional Officer Argentra Cotton was stabbed to death by a maximum security inmate in the Mississippi State Penitentiary in Parchman, Mississippi. The inmate had escaped from his cell-block and stabbed Officer Cotton to death with a shank. The inmate attacked Officer Cotton from behind and stabbed him several times in the neck and back. Another officer was able to draw the inmate's attention away from Officer Cotton long enough for Officer Cotton to escape into the control tower. The inmate was taken into custody a short time later. Officer Cotton was transported to Bolivar County Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later. The suspect was charged with Officer Cotton's murder and was sentenced to death.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Argentra is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Correctional Officer Cotton served with the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
Thank you for your service to the people of Mississippi. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Correctional Officer Cotton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Argentra Cotton served in the U.S. Army (1974â1976) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mississippi Department of Corrections has lost 9 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Argentra is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Argentra is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Argentra is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1989, 1 officer at Mississippi Department of Corrections was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 6 officers in MS were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1989, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1989, 108 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Argentra was 34. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Mississippi Department of Corrections whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 52.8; the middle age was 44.
Argentra was 34. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41.
Argentra was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Argentra was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
July holds 14.3% of these deaths at Mississippi Department of Corrections; September holds the most, 28.6%. Tuesdays: 28.6%.
July holds 5.3% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Tuesdays: 11.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 77.8% of all 9 deaths at Mississippi Department of Corrections, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 14.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was edged weapon, in 2% of these deaths.
His people
Mississippi Department of Corrections has 9 officers remembered here, Argentra among them.
Where
Military Service
Argentra Cotton served in the U.S. Army (1974–1976) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Argentra Cotton’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Mississippi Department of Corrections are honored on badge.nw.
