Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Joseph Cotton was shot and killed when he and an officer responded to a report of a former mental patient brandishing a shotgun.
When they arrived on the scene the man opened fire, fatally wounding Chief Cotton. The other officer, also hit by a shotgun blast, returned fire seriously wounding the suspect.
The 60-year-suspect was adjudged insane and committed at the state mental institution where he died on September 19, 1954.
Chief Cotton had served with the Wewoka Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by nine children. He was preceded in death by two wives and one child.
Survivors
He was survived by nine children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-950A42EF- 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.
Chief of Police Cotton gave the Wewoka Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Wewoka community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Cotton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Joseph W. Cotton 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Wewoka Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph W. Cotton's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph W. Cotton Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in mental institution
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph W. Cotton is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph W. Cotton was killed by shotgun; 12 gauge.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wewoka Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
