Roll of Honor
Incident
Mounted Patrolman Joseph Lacoste was shot and killed in the Algiers Ferry House. A man had boarded the ferry at Canal Street with a shotgun and pistol and began threatening other passengers as it began to cross the Mississippi River. The ferry captain blew a distress whistle, alerting officers to meet the ferry when it docked at the Algiers dock. As the ferry docked the man jumped from the boat and ran into the ferry house with Patrolman Lacoste and other officers in pursuit. The man opened fire, killing Officer Lacoste and seriously wounding a second officer. In the midst of the chaos, other officers arrived and shot and killed the suspect. Patrolman Lacoste had served with the New Orleans Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, seven children, mother, and five siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-EE5134C5- 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 Joseph. 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.
Patrolman Lacoste gave the New Orleans Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Lacoste.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph Lacoste 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. Joseph Lacoste's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph Lacoste Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph Lacoste is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph Lacoste was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
