Reserve officer James Boyd Cook was 19 and had served with the Westlake Police Department in Louisiana for about two weeks when he was mortally wounded. On August 28, 1990, a fellow officer’s firearm accidentally discharged inside the police headquarters and struck Cook in the stomach. He died of that gunshot wound on August 30, 1990.

Accounts describe the shooting as an accidental friendly-fire incident. No arrests or charges are reported in connection with the shooting, and the other officer’s identity has not been publicly disclosed. If anyone knew Cook, worked at that department in 1990, or has information about what happened inside the station that day, please share what can help clarify the circumstances.