Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Wilfredo Cotto-Aponte was shot and killed while moving illegal residents off of private land in Rio Grande, Puerto Rico. At about 10:30 am, police units arrived at the Community Villa Sin Miedo in Rio Grande with a court order to remove a group of people who lived illegally on the private land. After an hour of eviction notices by the police, a police tactical unit entered the community to begin the forced eviction. When Officer Cotto-Aponte walk into a dorm, a man shot him in the throat. Officer Cotto-Aponte was taken to a hospital where he succumbed to his wounds. The assailant was arrested at the scene, and was sentenced to 99 years in prison. Officer Cotto-Aponte worked with the Puerto Rico Police Department for 11 years, and was assigned to the Metropolitan Tactical Operations Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two sons; both who later joined the Puerto Rico Police Department.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PR-314B16FD- 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.
Policeman Cotto-Aponte gave the Puerto Rico Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Juan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Policeman Cotto-Aponte.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Policeman Wilfredo Cotto-Aponte 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 127, 294 of 388 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75.8% of this state's fallen. That is 21.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Puerto Rico Police Department, 279 of 364 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wilfredo Cotto-Aponte's cause is highlighted.
How Wilfredo Cotto-Aponte Compares
Offender Outcome
Life sentence
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wilfredo Cotto-Aponte is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wilfredo Cotto-Aponte was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
363 officers from Puerto Rico Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
