Incident
Patrolman Coker was shot and killed after stopping a vehicle that was driving over 100 mph. As Patrolman Coker approached the vehicle the driver leaned out of the window and opened fire with a .44 caliber handgun, striking Patrolman Coker in the chest. Patrolman Coker was able to return fire and wound the suspect who was taken into custody and charged with Patrolman Coker's murder. Patrolman Coker had only been with the agency for two weeks.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-28D97E66- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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. Lawrence is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Coker served with the Heidelberg Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Heidelberg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Coker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Lawrence Dale Coker served in the U.S. Army (1970â1972) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Lawrence Dale Coker 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In MS, 243 of 350 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this state's fallen. That is 69.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Dale Coker's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Dale Coker Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Dale Coker is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Dale Coker was killed by handgun.
Military Service
Lawrence Dale Coker served in the U.S. Army (1970–1972) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Lawrence Dale Coker’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Heidelberg Police Department are honored on badge.nw.