Joseph L. Coote
Agency patch
Patrolman

Joseph L. Coote

Veteran → Felonious
End of Watch March 22, 1961
Age 31
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Badge 535
The Vigil Panel 96 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Joseph Coote was shot and killed by one of three armed robbers he was attempting to arrest at the intersection of Brinkerhoff Lane and Third Street in Manhasset. The suspects fled the scene but were later arrested. The gunman, age 21, who had the words I HATE COPS tattooed on his chest, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 18, 1988. The other two suspects, both 19, were convicted of manslaughter and robbery and sentenced to 35 to 70 years in prison. One of them was paroled in 1983. Patrolman Coote was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Nassau County Police Department for five years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, two children, mother, father, three sisters, and a brother.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-EF8EF52E
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joseph. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.

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 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.
Patrolman Coote gave the Nassau County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mineola community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Mineola, Nassau County, NY
Platform Identity ncpd.nassau.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 22, 1961
Tour of Duty 5 yrs
Age 31
Badge Number 535
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Shotgun

Military Service

Joseph L. Coote served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Patrolman Joseph L. Coote is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.

In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 33.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Nassau County Police Department, 12 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.

Nassau County Police Department
12
of 51 officers
23.5% Felonious
NY — Statewide
728
of 2,147 officers
33.9% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,759 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph L. Coote's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Joseph L. Coote Compares

Age at Death
31
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph L. Coote is highlighted in Mar.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph L. Coote was killed by shotgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909

Incident Location

Military Service

Joseph L. Coote served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.

Visit Joseph L. Coote’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.