Joplin Police officers honored for heroism, courage during March 2022 incident
(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – This afternoon, Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe awarded Missouri Public Safety Medals to 18 first responders for heroic and life-saving actions during 2022, including four Joplin Police Officers.
The awards – the Medal of Valor, and the Red, White and Blue Heart Award – are Missouri’s highest recognitions for first responders acting during critical incidents. Six of the Red, White and Blue Heart awards were bestowed posthumously.
“I was honored today to present these awards to civilians, first responders and the surviving family members of Missouri first responders who laid down their lives in order to protect their fellow citizens,” Lt. Governor Mike Kehoe said. “The courage and valiant actions by these heroes show the tremendous debt we owe to first responders. They hit the streets each day never knowing the challenges they will face, but determined to bravely serve the people of Missouri, no matter the personal cost. The four civilians honored today provided invaluable and life-saving assistance in support of our first responders, bravely taking action without hesitation during dangerous emergencies.”
“The brave, life-saving actions taken by Missouri’s first responders in 2022 are truly inspiring and demonstrate once again the risks our first responders accept and the tremendous sacrifices they make to protect others,” Department of Public Safety Director Sandy Karsten said. “Six of those we honored paid the ultimate price for their service as first responders. I am also grateful to the four courageous civilians honored today, who selflessly came to the aid of their fellow Missourians and helped save lives.”
Medal of Valor: Missouri’s highest award recognizing public safety officers who exhibit exceptional courage, extraordinary decisiveness and presence of mind, and unusual swiftness of action, regardless of his or her personal safety, in the attempt to save or protect human life.
William E. Davis and Rick D. Hirshey, Joplin Police Department —
On March 8, 2022, Joplin Police Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed responded to a business for a disturbance call. As they attempted to take a suspect into custody, the man pulled a concealed gun and shot Cooper and Reed, mortally wounding both. The gunman then fled the scene in Corporal Cooper’s patrol vehicle. Officers gave chase as the gunman fired at them. The gunman crashed the patrol vehicle and attempted to steal a minivan. Officer Hirshey located the gunman and positioned his vehicle to prevent the gunman from fleeing in the minivan. The gunman fired at Officer Hirshey, who received a life-threatening gunshot wound to his face. Captain Davis arrived on the scene and was also fired upon. He shot and killed the gunman. On a tragic day when two members of the Joplin Police Department were killed and the community threatened, Officer Hirshey and Captain Davis responded courageously, decisively and ended a danger to the police department and Joplin itself.
Red, White and Blue Heart Award: This is the second year the Red, White and Blue Heart is being awarded. The annual award may be presented to any first responder who under honorable circumstances is critically, seriously, or fatally injured while performing official duties in the line of duty. The injury must require long-term treatment by a medical professional and considerable loss of time from duty.
Benjamin L. Cooper, Jake Reed and Rick D. Hirshey, Joplin Police Department —
On March 8, 2022, Joplin Police Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed responded to a business for a disturbance call. As they attempted to take a suspect into custody he pulled a concealed gun and shot Cooper and Reed, mortally wounding both officers. The gunman then fled the scene in Corporal Cooper’s patrol vehicle. Officers gave chase as the gunman fired at them. The gunman crashed the patrol vehicle and attempted to steal a minivan. Officer Hirshey located the gunman and positioned his vehicle to prevent the gunman from fleeing in the minivan. The gunman fired at Officer Hirshey, who received a life-threatening gunshot wound to his face. The bullet entered Officer Hirshey’s cheek under his left eye and traveled through his head before becoming lodged in his neck. He underwent surgery and was hospitalized for eight days. He returned to work on light duty on June 30, 2022. The bullet remains lodged in his neck to this day.
Corporal Benjamin Cooper devoted his life to protecting others. He served in the United States Army from 1995 to 2001 and in the Joplin Police Department from 2004 to 2008, when he left to serve as a deputy sheriff in Colorado. He returned to the Joplin Police Department in 2013 and was promoted to corporal in 2016. He leaves a remarkable legacy of brave public service.
At age 22, Jake Reed had made the decision to fight violence and take on risks to serve and protect his community. He had been a member of the Joplin Police Department for less than five years but his heroic service and many contributions to the Joplin community will forever be remembered. His selfless service was magnified by the gift of life he provided to many others through organ donation.
