On March 8, 2022 at about 1:20 pm, Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed were shot after responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center in the 400 block of Geneva Avenue.

After officers arrived on the scene, Corporal Cooper and Officer Reed attempted to take the suspect into custody, the suspect opened fire on them, critically wounding both officers. The suspect stole one of the officers' service weapons and a patrol car. The suspect continued firing at pursuing officers until crashing near the intersection of E 9th Street and Connecticut Avenue.

The suspect took cover behind a van and opened fire, striking a third officer, who was still inside of his cruiser. The suspect continued to shoot at officers until he was shot and killed by return fire. Corporal Cooper and Officer Reed were transported to a local hospital where Corporal Reed was pronounced dead a short time later. Officer Reed remained in grave condition for several days until it was determined that he could not recover. He remained on life support until his organs could be donated on March 11th, 2022.

Corporal Cooper served 19 years in law enforcement, beginning his career with the Joplin Police Department in 2003. He then pursued a career as a deputy sheriff in Montezuma County, Colorado where he served as a canine officer before returning to Joplin Police Department in 2016. Prior to his law enforcement career, Corporal Cooper served his country in the U.S. Army for 8 years, stationed in both Alaska and Hawaii. Corporal Cooper then moved to the Joplin area where he graduated the Police Academy in 2003 and joined the Joplin Police Department. Corporal Cooper is survived by his wife of fifteen years and two daughters.

Article by Brent Marchant