Corporal Benjamin Lee Cooper - Joplin Police Dept. - MO - True Life Hero

Benjamin Lee Cooper
- Mar. 08, 2022 -

(30829)

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Joplin Police Dept. Patch

Resided:	Joplin MO, USA
Born:	Jul. 26, 1975
Fallen:	Mar. 08, 2022
Race/Sex:	Caucasian Male / 46 yrs. of age
	Agency
Dept:	Joplin Police Dept. - MO 303 E 3rd St Joplin, MO 64801 USA (417)623-3131
County:	Jasper
Dept. Type:	Municipal/Police
Hero's Rank:	Corporal
Sworn Date:	Unk
FBI Class:	Homicide - Gun
Weapon Class:	Firearm
Agency URL:	Click Here
On The Job:	19 years

Bio: Ben was born in Tulsa, OK, the son of Steven and Joyce (Peterson) Cooper. Ben graduated from Carl Junction High School in 1993. Ben served his country as part of the U.S. Army for eight years and was stationed in Alaska and Hawaii during his service.

Following his (military)service, he moved to the Joplin area and graduated the Police Academy in 2003, where he joined the Joplin Police Department. Later working for a Sheriff's Department in Montezuma County Colorado, where he was a K-9 officer; then moving back to Joplin in 2013.

Ben was an avid outdoors man, loved to bow hunt and fish. Family meant everything to him. Ben enjoyed spending time with his friends.

He is loved and missed by all.

Corporal Cooper had served 19 years in law enforcement, beginning his career with the Joplin Police Department in 2003 and returning in 2016. He had served as a sheriff's deputy in Colorado between 2003 and 2016.

Survived by:

Roxy - Wife
and two daughters

Fatal Incident Summary

Offender:	No Info
Location:	MO USA
Summary:	Corporal Ben Cooper and Police Officer Jake Reed were shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center in the 400 block of Geneva Avenue at about 1:20 pm. While they attempted to take a subject into custody the man opened fire on them, critically wounding both. The man then stole one of their service weapons and a patrol car. He continued firing at pursuing officers until crashing near the intersection of E 9th Street and Connecticut Avenue. The man then took cover behind a van and opened fire on a third officer who was still inside of his cruiser, severely wounding him. The man continued shooting at other responding officers until being fatally wounded by return fire. Corporal Cooper was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Officer Reed remained on life support until his organs were donated on March 11th, 2022.
Source:	Website Click
Source:	Obit Click
Related:	Jake Reed

More from Joplin Police Dept. - MO

Last Updated: Mar. 14, 2022