Los Angeles: It is with great sadness that we report the death of a respected andvalued member of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) who waskilled during combat operations in Afghanistan while serving in supportof the Global War on Terrorism.
TheLAPD has learned through family contacts of the death of 45-year-oldSergeant Major Robert J. Cottle, United States Marine Corps Reserve(USMCR). In the near future, the Department of Defense and the USMCRwill formally release his name and the circumstances related to hisdeath in accordance with military protocols. Cottle had been deployedon active duty since August 2009. He served with the 4th LARBattalion, Headquarters Company, 4th Marine Division, Camp Pendleton,California.
Cottle was appointed to the LAPD on Sept. 10, 1990. He had beenassigned to Metropolitan Division since February 1996 and his mostrecent assignment was in D Team, Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)as a Police Officer III+I.
"Thisdeeply saddens me, especially since I've known RJ for over 20 years,said LAPD Chief Charlie Beck. He is a fine man and a great example ofthe best LAPD has to offer. He will be missed."
Whether Cottle was serving the people of Los Angeles or serving thepeople of the United States, he did so with honor, integrity andcommitment. His death will leave a void in the hearts of all who knewand loved him, and his contributions to the Department will be greatlymissed. He is survived by his wife and a 9-month-old daughter.
We ask that community members keep Officer Cottles family members,friends and his extended LAPD family in their thoughts and prayers.