Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Alva Simmons succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained 19 years earlier while responding to a burglary in progress. He had slipped into a coma shortly after the incident and never regained consciousness.
Officer Simmons had responded to the call at a home at 1820 Short Street in the Carrollton area and was in a crouched position while he approached the home. A subject inside opened fire with a .357 caliber revolver. One of the rounds struck Officer Simmons in the chin, damaging his vocal cord and severing an artery.
He had initially been released from the hospital after one month, but within a few weeks, he began suffering dizziness and slipped into a coma. Doctors were unable to bring him out of the coma. He was returned to his home and given round-the-clock treatment but never regained consciousness.
Officer Simmons was a United States Air Force Vietnam War veteran. At the time of the shooting, Officer Simmons had served with the New Orleans Police Department for 11 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-921653AA- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Simmons gave the New Orleans Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Alva Ray Simmons served in the Air Force (1971â1974) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Alva Ray Simmons is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At New Orleans Police Department, 86 of 128 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 67.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alva Ray Simmons's cause is highlighted.
How Alva Ray Simmons Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 100 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alva Ray Simmons is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alva Ray Simmons was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
