Joplin Police identify fallen officer, suspect after fatal shooting
Joplin Police have identified the fallen officer after a fatal shooting took place Tuesday. Read the full press release below:
On March 8, 2022, at 1332 hours, Officers responded to the area of 4th and Range line in regard to a disturbance. Once on scene officers contacted a subject who they identified as being involved in the disturbance. As officers attempted to take the subject into custody, he shot two officers and fled the scene in a stolen patrol car. Officers attempted to stop the fleeing suspect, who fired shots from the stolen patrol vehicle at pursuing officers, striking a patrol vehicle. The suspect wrecked the patrol car shortly thereafter and fled on foot to the area of 9th and Connecticut.
Officers once again located the suspect, and he fired shots at officers, injuring one. Joplin Police Captain William Davis returned fire and struck the suspect. Captain Davis has been placed on administrative leave per department policy. Captain Davis was not injured in the incident.
Three officers were transported with serious injuries. Cpl. Cooper, succumbed to his injuries yesterday afternoon.
Another officer is in critical condition, and another officer is in serious but stable condition. Names of the two injured officers are withheld at this time. Details concerning the two officers will be released in the morning.
The suspect is deceased. There is no further threat to the public. The Missouri State Highway Patrol is currently investigating this incident.
Corporal Benjamin Cooper passed away March 8, 2022, from injuries received in the incident yesterday. Corporal Cooper was a veteran officer of the Joplin Police Department, starting his career in 2003 before transferring to a sheriff’s department in Colorado. Corporal Cooper returned to the Joplin Police Department in 2013 and was promoted to Corporal in 2016. Corporal Cooper leaves behind a wife and 2 daughters.
The deceased suspect is Anthony R Felix, age 40, of Joplin.
Pictures below are from the media briefing Wednesday morning:
