R.J. Cottle and "Tank", Christmas Day

The tragic news that our LAPD brother, SWAT Officer R.J. Cottle, was killed in action in Afghanistan last week while serving in the United States Marine Corps Reserve sent shockwaves through the Department. In a testament to the huge impact R.J. made in the far-too-brief time that he was with us, we immediately started receiving phone calls, e-mails, photos and offers of support for R.J.'s family. The immense love and respect felt for R.J. by his fellow officers, Marines and those he served and protected is a direct result of the pride he took in his country, family, and service in the LAPD and Marine Corps. He touched many lives and we are forever grateful for his sacrifice.

We invite you to share your personal experiences and memories of R.J., so that we can properly honor this great man and hero, both here on our website and in the upcoming issue of the Thin Blue Line. Leave a comment here on the blog, or if you have a longer story and/or photos to share, please send them to [email protected], providing information such as the date, location and additional persons in the photo.

We will never forget R.J. Thank you.