Patrolman Joseph Lacoste

Joseph Lacoste

Mounted Patrolman Joseph Lacoste was shot and killed in the Algiers Ferry House.

A man had boarded the ferry at Canal Street with a shotgun and pistol and began threatening other passengers as it began to cross the Mississippi River. The ferry captain blew a distress whistle, alerting officers to meet the ferry when it docked at the Algiers dock.

As the ferry docked the man jumped from the boat and ran into the ferry house with Patrolman Lacoste and other officers in pursuit. The man opened fire, killing Officer Lacoste and seriously wounding a second officer. In the midst of the chaos, other officers arrived and shot and killed the suspect.

Patrolman Lacoste had served with the New Orleans Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife, seven children, mother, and five siblings.