Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Philip Coleman, Patrolman Paul Persigo, and Deputy Superintendent Louis Sirgo were shot and killed by a sniper who had shot several civilians and set fires at a local hotel. Patrolman Coleman had driven his patrol car to a location where another person had been shot to try to rescue the man. He was shot as he stepped from his patrol car. The suspect, who was a member of the Black Panthers, was shot and killed by police, who used a Marine helicopter to fly over the hotel and fire at the suspect. The suspect was also responsible for the murders of Cadet Alfred Harrell and Sergeant Edwin Hosli, who were shot in separate incidents eight days earlier. Cadet Harrell was killed instantly, and Sergeant Hosli succumbed to his wounds on March 5, 1973. Patrolman Coleman had served with the New Orleans Police Department for five years. He was survived by his wife, son, and parents. The Black Panther Party was a black nationalist and Marxist revolutionary political and militant organization active in the United States between 1966 and 1982. Members and former members of the group were responsible for the murders of over 20 law enforcement officers and the wounding of dozens more across the nation. Please click here to visit all the law enforcement officers who have died as a result of the Black Panther Party's violent activism.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and parents.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-LA-F4B35FE9- 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.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Coleman gave the New Orleans Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the New Orleans community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Coleman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Philip J. Coleman, Sr. 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. Philip J. Coleman, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Philip J. Coleman, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Philip J. Coleman, Sr. is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Philip J. Coleman, Sr. was killed by rifle; .44 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
127 officers from New Orleans Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
