NEW ORLEANS — A Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) Police Officer was found dead inside his patrol car around 7:30 a.m., local reports said.
Responding Officers arrived at the scene in the Central City neighborhood near South Robertson and Freret streets to find the driver’s side window broken. The squad car had hit a curb, lights still flashing and the car was in drive.
He was prounouced dead at the scene from gunshot wounds. The 45-year-old Officer has been identified as James Bennett Jr.
The HANO police chief told WWL-TV the victim was a two-year veteran of the force, and it’s the first killing of a HANO officer in its history. Officer Bennett is the fourth law enforcement fatality from the State of Louisiana in 2015.
“What we know right now is that he was fatally wounded, and it is just a sad day,” Superintendent Michael Harrison said. “We are all very touched by it and our thoughts and prayers are with the chief, his family and the officers of the housing authority.”
NOLA.com reports the officer was working an overtime security detail at the construction site of the Guste Homes public housing complex. Officials report no one lives near the scene of the shooting.
Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued the following statement:
“The death of this HANO police officer is an unspeakable tragedy, and a vile and cowardly act. Tragedies that involve our men and women in uniform affect our entire city and touch every member of our law enforcement community. We are deeply saddened by this loss, and our hearts and prayers are with the officer’s friends and family and with the entire HANO family during this very difficult time.
“NOPD and HANO will work very closely to identify and arrest those responsible for this heinous assault. NOPD and HANO are part of the same close-knit law enforcement family that puts their lives on the line to protect and serve the people of New Orleans. Never are we more aware of the risk they face every day than we are on terrible days like this.”
At least 48 on-duty Officers have been killed in 2015.
PHOTO: @antwanharris/Twitter
