Joplin Police Chief: Today we are hurting

“This is a tragic day for the Joplin Police Department and the City of Joplin as a whole.”

Joplin Police Chief Sloan Rowland is asking for positive thoughts and prayers for his department after Joplin Police Cpl. Benjamin Cooper was shot and killed Tuesday afternoon after an altercation with a suspect that has left two other officers seriously wounded.

“This was a violent and unwarranted attack on our officers and is indicative of the rise in violence against law enforcement officers we are witnessing nationwide and it has to stop,” said Chief Rowland. “We are a large family at the Joplin Police Department–a very large extended family–and today we are hurting. And we are feeling that throughout the community.”

Cpl. Ben Cooper leaves behind and a wife and two daughters. He was a veteran officer of the Joplin Police Department, starting his career in 2003 before transferring to a sheriff’s department in Colorado. Cooper returned to the Joplin Police Department in 2013 and was promoted to Corporal in 2016. Cooper was also a graduate of Missouri Southern’s Law Enforcement Academy.

“Our prayers go out to the families and friends and the coworkers of the fallen and injured officers. We ask God to give them comfort and peace and to lift them up. Please keep them in your thoughts as you go about your day,” added Rowland.”

Rowland expressed his gratitude towards the citizens of Joplin and other law enforcement agencies that have reached out and helped during their time of need.