Senior Trooper Richard Dale Cottle, Texas Department of Public Safety

Senior Trooper Richard Dale Cottle

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas

End of Watch Wednesday, May 9, 2001

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Richard Dale Cottle

Senior Trooper Richard Cottle was killed in an automobile collision when his cruiser slammed into the rear of a tractor-trailer on I-35 just north of Waco during morning fog.

The semi had just been involved in a crash with another tractor-trailer and was blocking a travel lane when the collision occurred. Trooper Cottle, who was assigned to the Motor-vehicle Inspection Section, was on his way to Dallas to testify in a court case.

Trooper Cottle had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety for almost 30 years. He is survived by his wife and four children. One of his sons also served with the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Bio

Age 51
Tour 30 years
Badge 3087

Incident Details

Cause Automobile crash

weather, attending court, routine driving

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Most Recent Reflection

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Richard, there is not a day that goes by that I do not think of you and how well we worked together as partners. Your loss was devastating to your family and to me. How I wish I had stayed in Waco and remained your partner for a few more years. Miss you my brother.

Inspector II Kenneth L. Hailey
Texas Department of Public Safety

December 4, 2023