New Orleans coroner identified Officer James Bennett, Jr. as the police officer shot and killed on Sunday.
According to his friend, Bennett was working on an outreach program for the communities where he patrolled. (Source: Family Photo)
Bennett, Jr. was shot dead in his cruiser Sunday morning.
The car was found still in ‘drive” when they found the officer.
** The patrol car apparently had rolled one to two blocks after the officer was shot before hitting a curb and stopping.
The driver’s side window was broken out and the lights were still on.
** Officer Bennett was the second white police officer shot dead in one week. Officer Kerrie Orozco was shot dead in Omaha on Wednesday.
The officer was patrolling a Central City construction site when he was killed.
ODMP reported:
Patrolman James Bennett was shot and killed from ambush while working an overtime detail at a construction site of the Guste Homes Public Housing Complex.
Patrolman Bennett was patrolling a site where homes were being built when he was shot and killed by an unknown person. Patrolman Bennett’s patrol car was found crashed near the intersection of Erato Street and Freret Street shortly after 7:00 am. Responding Officers found Patrolman Bennett inside the patrol car fatally wounded.
Patrolman Bennett had served with the Housing Authority of New Orleans Police Department for two years and had previously served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for 13 years.
