Roll of Honor
Incident
Marshal Cotner was shot and killed while attempting to arrest three suspects who were burglarizing a hardware store at 0200 hours. Marshal Cotner and his deputy marshal fired at the suspects as they fled the store but Marshal Cotner was struck by return fire. Marshal Cotner was taken to St. Paul's Hospital in Dallas where he succumbed to his wounds three hours later. Three suspects were arrested two days later.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-9E3E66C0- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
City Marshal Cotner served with the Nevada City Marshal's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Nevada community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, City Marshal Cotner.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
City Marshal James Robert Cotner 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Robert Cotner's cause is highlighted.
How James Robert Cotner Compares
Offender Outcome
Not available
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Robert Cotner is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Robert Cotner was killed by gun; unknown type.