Crowd gathers in Jasper County Courthouse to honor fallen law officers
May 14—CARTHAGE, Mo. — Officers representing different law enforcement agencies gathered Tuesday in the lobby of the Jasper County Courthouse to remember those killed in the line of duty during the county's history.
Between 1885 and 2022, 28 officers have been killed in Jasper County.
They were honored by the crowd of more than 50 officers and residents standing before the Jasper County Law Enforcement Memorial mounted in the courthouse.
Roxy Cooper, widow of Joplin police Cpl. Ben Cooper, was in the crowd with Ben Cooper's father, Steve Cooper, and her daughter, Ashley Cooper, during the ceremony.
"It means a lot, the continued remembrance of these fallen officers," Roxy Cooper said. "In my mind, especially being the wife of Ben Cooper, we can't do enough and to never forget them should be a priority. I'm so glad when I see leaders do just that."
Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed were killed March 8, 2022, when they were shot while responding to a disturbance call at a shopping center in the 400 block of Geneva Avenue.
Cooper had served for 19 years in law enforcement, starting his career with the Joplin Police Department before moving to Colorado, where he worked as a sheriff's deputy. He returned to the Joplin Police Department in 2016.
"It was wonderful to see everyone, all the command staff was here and that's amazing," Roxy Cooper said. "(Assistant) Chief (Brian) Lewis did a phenomenal job, and I'm very proud of my guys. I think it is nice when so many people show up to recognize them. We have our own memorials every year, and there are always so many officers. Everybody comes from all over, and I appreciate that."
Lewis read the names of 21 officers who have died in the line of duty with the Joplin Police Department dating back to Sgt. Daniel Sheehan, who died July 19, 1885.
"Anytime we have an opportunity to honor those officers that paid that ultimate sacrifice, we're going to be present," Lewis said. "You can't honor them enough. It's an honor to read each and every name, and those names can't be stated enough for what they did for us."
The service was a reminder that officers in smaller communities are not safe from the dangers of their profession.
Oronogo police Chief Steve Weaver read the name of Marshal Melvin Stiles, who was killed while responding to a disturbance between two brothers July 26, 1974.
"It's a reminder that even though it's a small town, officers can get hurt, they can still get killed," Weaver said. "It's not just a problem that the big cities see."
The service also recognized Riverside Officer Jeff Taylor, a former Webb City officer who was killed in a lightning strike while helping in Joplin after the May 22, 2011, tornado, and Officer Lane Anthony Burns, a Bonne Terre police officer and Carthage native who was killed in the line of duty March 17, 2022.
Steve Cooper had a simple message for the public after the ceremony.
"Never forget them," he said.
