Police Chief Sloan Rowland spoke those words during a press conference this morning, in which he released the name of veteran officer Cpl. Ben Cooper, who was killed during a shootout with a Joplin man, who was also killed.
The suspect was identified as Anthony R. Felix, 40, Joplin.
Rowland said another officer remains in critical condition, while a third is in serious, but stable condition.
"This was a violent and unwarranted attack on our officers," Rowland said. "and is indicative of the rise of violence against law enforcement officers we are witnessing nationwide and its has to stop.
Cooper had been with the JPD since 2003, leaving for a brief time to work in a sheriff's office in Colorado. He returned to Joplin in 2013 and was promoted to corporal in 2016. He was a veteran of the U. S. Army.
During his time with the JPD, Cooper served as a patrolman, investigator, firearms instructor, SWAT officer, field training officer and worked in the Professional Standards Bureau to the Internal Affairs Unit.
"I enjoy serving the community and am proud to be a Joplin police officer," Cooper said in a department news release issued when he was named Officer of the Month in 2020.Cooper is survived by a wife and two daughters.
Rowland detailed the events surrounding the shootings, beginning with what happened after officers were called to the area of 4th and Range Line where a disturbance was taking place.
"As officers attempted to take the suspect into custody, he shot the officers and fled the scene in a stolen patrol car.
"Officers attempted to stop the fleeing suspect who fired shots from the stolen patrol car at the pursuing officers, striking one of the patrol vehicles and narrowly missing one of the officers in the car.
"The suspect wrecked the patrol car shortly thereafter and fled on foot in the area of 9th and Connecticut.
"Officers once again located the suspect and he fired shots at the officers again injuring one officer. An officer returned fire and struck the suspect repeatedly."
Rowland said the investigation is ongoing and is being conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.
"This is a tragic day for our police department and for the city of Joplin as a whole."
1 comment:
So Sorry for the Family Members and Friends of Cpl. Ben Cooper - who was doing his Duty to
To Protect and to Serve!
A lot of people only want to speak Negative about the Police Officers in our Country, but most are Honest, Law Abiding, and Hard Working Individuals doing there Jobs to Protect the Public.
This is a Sad Day - for the Community of Joplin. Hopefully we can all gather and Mourn and Honor a Brave Man and Officer, for Doing the Right Thing - for Doing his Job.
God Bless - -
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