Cortez Hamm

How they died

Deadly force

An officer shot Cortez Hamm when he allegedly shot at him following a chase. Shortly after 1 p.m., Centreville police had found the body of Gladys M. Cockrell, 88, near an open field in the 500 block 42nd street. Police called the Major Case Squad to help in the investigation. About an hour later, a detective assigned to the Major Case Squad saw Cockrell's car in the area and approached it. The driver, identified later as Hamm, fled and the officer gave chase. Hamm allegedly shot at the officer near a service station across the street from the Centreville Police Department. The detective returned fire, killing Hamm.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Cortez Hamm, and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources