Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph Coote was shot and killed by one of three armed robbers he was attempting to arrest at the intersection of Brinkerhoff Lane and Third Street in Manhasset. The suspects fled the scene but were later arrested. The gunman, age 21, who had the words I HATE COPS tattooed on his chest, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was paroled on April 18, 1988. The other two suspects, both 19, were convicted of manslaughter and robbery and sentenced to 35 to 70 years in prison. One of them was paroled in 1983. Patrolman Coote was a United States Army Korean War veteran and had served with the Nassau County Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, mother, father, three sisters, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-EF8EF52E- 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.
Patrolman Coote gave the Nassau County Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mineola 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
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph L. Coote served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Joseph L. Coote 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 Nassau County Police Department, 12 of 51 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 23.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph L. Coote's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph L. Coote Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1988
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph L. Coote is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph L. Coote was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
50 officers from Nassau County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
