NEW ORLEANS — As we all pause to remember our troops who have made the ultimate sacrifice, CrimeStoppers is also hoping people will remember a police officer who was shot and killed during the Memorial Day weekend.
On May 24, 2015 — during the Memorial Day holiday weekend — Housing Authority of New Orleans police officer James Bennett was patrolling a construction site on Erato Street in Central City. The NOPD says someone shot Bennett while he was inside his car.
The car continued to roll for about a block before coming to a stop at the corner of Freret Street. Officer Bennett was found dead behind the wheel.
Initially the reward was $5,000 then $10,000. Before long, the reward was increased to $35,000 with the ATF providing $25,000 and CrimeStoppers supplying the rest.
One year after the murder, the NOPD located Bennett’s stolen Glock pistol and charged a suspect with illegal possession of a firearm. But now four years after Bennett’s death, the case remains unsolved.
To see the latest Wheel of Justice report, click on the video button at the top of this page. If you can help solve the case, call CrimeStoppers at 504-822-1111. Remember, you don’t have to reveal your name and you could be eligible to earn at $35,000 reward.
So far, 400 people have been booked after their cases rolled on the Wheel of Justice.
