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Probationary Patrolman

Patrick Cotter

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch August 4, 1913

Age 27

Tour of Duty 6 mo

Badge 978

The Vigil Panel 27 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Patrick Cotter was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a suspect who had just fired two shots at a female after a dispute. Patrolman Cotter was walking his beat in the vicinity of East 188th Street and Belmont Avenue in the Bronx when he heard the sound of gunfire. Patrolman Cotter ran in the direction of the shots, where he observed the suspect fleeing with several citizens in pursuit. Patrolman Cotter joined the chase, and before long, he was right on the heels of the suspect. In front of 2416 Hughes Avenue, Patrolman Cotter lifted his nightstick to strike the suspect, but the suspect turned and fired two shots, hitting Patrolman Cotter in the chest. An off-duty Patrolman heard the shots, raced from his house, and was able to apprehend the suspect. Patrolman Cotter was taken to the hospital but died before he arrived. The 22-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. The New York Court of Appeals ordered a new trial, and he was again sentenced to death. Another trial was ordered by the New York Supreme Court. On December 22, 1916, he was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to five years. Patrolman Cotter was a United States Army veteran and had been a member of the New York City Police Department for six months, and his Probationary period was to end in just six days.

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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. Patrick is one person.

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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.
Probationary Patrolman Cotter served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York 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

Department New York City Police Department

Type Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 4, 1913

Tour of Duty 6 mo

Age 27

Badge Number 978

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun

Military Service

Patrick Cotter served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Probationary Patrolman Patrick Cotter 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 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 New York City Police Department, 365 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 29.5% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

365

of 1,237 officers

29.5% Felonious

NY — Statewide

728

of 2,147 officers

33.9% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,772 officers

0% Felonious