In the course of his duties, Deputy Sheriff Robert Edward Cochran, a 32-year-old male, was working a special detail at a bank on Metairie Road in Jefferson Parish. An eight-year veteran of the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, he was a husband and a father to a son and two daughters. His life was cut short in a violent confrontation during an armed robbery.
Two individuals were involved in the heist. One entered the bank initially to scout the location and observed Deputy Cochran. This suspect then left and informed his accomplice. The second suspect then entered the bank and, without warning, shot Deputy Cochran in the shoulder. As the deputy fell, he was able to draw his weapon and return fire, wounding the assailant in the abdomen. Despite his injury, the suspect approached the fallen deputy and fired a fatal shot to his head.
The two suspects fled the scene, but their escape was short-lived. They were apprehended when the wounded shooter sought medical attention for the gunshot wound he sustained from Deputy Cochran's return fire. Both men were brought to justice for their roles in the deadly bank robbery. The man who fired the shots that killed Deputy Cochran was ultimately sentenced to death and was executed for his crime. His accomplice in the robbery and murder received a sentence of life in prison.
