Vehicle Inspection Trooper Richard Dale Cottle

DPS Senior Trooper Richard Dale Cottle, 51, died May 9, 2001, after a 4-vehicle wreck in McLennan county. Cottle was stationed in Waco with the Motor Vehicle Inspection Service. He had been with DPS nearly 30 years, joining the Department October 6, 1971. After graduating from the DPS Academy February 15, 1972, he was stationed with the Highway Patrol in Marlin until October 1, 1974, when he transferred to Waco. He also served as a License and Weight trooper from 1988 to February of 1997, when he joined Vehicle Inspection. He had numerous commendations and was known for his investigative proficiency in document fraud. Trooper Cottle, who was born and raised in Cleburne, is survived by his wife, Marsha, his 29-year-old daughter Crystal, and his 26-year-old son Chatt. (Chatt is a DPS Capitol trooper.) Trooper Cottle is the 220th DPS officer to die in the line of duty.