Robert Edward Cochran
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Robert Edward Cochran

Felonious
End of Watch January 30, 1978
Age 32
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Badge 186
The Vigil Panel 119 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Sheriff Robert Cochran was shot and killed during a bank robbery while working on special detail at a bank on Metairie Road. One of the two subjects entered the bank and observed Deputy Cochran. The subject then exited the bank and informed the second subject, who entered the bank and shot Deputy Cochran in the shoulder. As he fell to the ground, Deputy Cochran was able to return fire, striking the suspect in the abdomen. The suspect then walked up to Deputy Cochran and shot him in the head, killing him. Both suspects were apprehended when the wounded man sought medical attention. The shooter was sentenced to death and eventually executed. The accomplice was sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Cochran had served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for eight years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-FD840BC6
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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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Cochran gave the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harvey community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cochran.

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

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Harvey, Jefferson Parish, LA
Platform Identity jpso.jefferson.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 30, 1978
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 32
Badge Number 186
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Robert Edward Cochran 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 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 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office
12
of 15 officers
80% Felonious
LA — Statewide
364
of 595 officers
61.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert Edward Cochran's cause is highlighted.

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

How Robert Edward Cochran Compares

Age at Death
32
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert Edward Cochran is highlighted in Jan.

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. Robert Edward Cochran was killed by handgun.

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

Incident Location