Patrick Cotter

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious Veteran

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 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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Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-2ECBDEF8
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 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

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; Unknown type

Offender Sentenced to 5 years

Military Service

Patrick Cotter served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Probationary Patrolman Patrick Cotter 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious