Senator John Boozman honored slain Sebastian County Deputy Bill Cooper on the United States Senate floor on Thursday.
Sen. Boozman took to the floor to honor Cpl. Cooper’s life and service. Cpl. Cooper was killed in the line of duty on August 10.
Below is Sen. Boozman’s full statement:
“Mr. President,
I rise today to honor the service and sacrifice of Corporal Bill Cooper of the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office. Corporal Cooper gave his life in the line of duty on August 10, 2016.
As a veteran of the United States Marine Corps who spent fifteen years in the Sebastian County Sheriff’s Office and six years with the Fort Smith Police Department, Bill Cooper was a true public servant.
Corporal Cooper was remembered by his colleagues as a model law enforcement officer who did things the right way. He loved the men and women he worked with and he exemplified what many in law enforcement aspire toward, which was being an officer who never failed to show how much he cared about his community.
As such, he continued to serve long after he was eligible to retire. Cooper was also a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved his family very much.
Last month, Corporal Cooper responded to a domestic violence call involving an armed suspect near Hackett, Arkansas. The suspect opened fire on Cooper and Hackett Police Chief Darrell Spells. Corporal Cooper was fatally wounded. Chief Spells and Greenwood K-9 officer Kina, were injured. The suspect later surrendered and was taken into police custody.
In a true testament to the impact that Corporal Cooper had on so many who served with him or knew him, he was laid to rest at a funeral service attended by several thousand, including law enforcement officers from across the state and around the country.
His colleagues and friends remembered him to have always treated citizens with respect and dignity while also being a loyal partner and friend.
While our hearts break for those who knew him, we also respect and admire Corporal Cooper for his lifetime of service. He truly was someone who ran toward danger in order to protect others.
Mr. President, Corporal Cooper was a hero and today we honor his sacrifice. My thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Ruth, and his son, Scott, along with many other family members, friends and colleagues in the law enforcement community. I humbly and sincerely offer my condolences and my gratitude to them as they grieve for Bill.
Bill was a classmate of mine at Northside High School. We are very proud of him for his sacrifice for our safety but also for the way he lived his life.
May we will always remember Corporal Cooper’s life and legacy of service.”
To watch the the full speech, click here.
