Starting this morning, the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is holding a weeklong blood drive to remember the Joplin police officers killed or injured last week. KRPS’s Fred Fletcher-Fierro has more.

Joplin Corporal Ben Cooper and Officer Jake Reed were killed in the line of duty last Tuesday in the same incident that wounded officer Rickey Hirshey. CBCO, the exclusive supplier of blood and plasma to patients at more than 40 area healthcare facilities, will honor the Joplin police officers by holding a special “Unite Joplin Blood Drive” this week at the Joplin Donor Center. For each donation, CBCO will donate $5.00 to the JPD Officer Benevolence Fund, created by the Joplin Fraternal Order of Police Foundation to benefit the victims’ families.

Successful donors will receive a long-sleeved quarter-zip pullover and a Boots and Badges T-shirt honoring first responders. CBCO’s Joplin Donor Center is located at 101 N. Range Line Road inside the Northpark Mall. Donation hours are Monday through Thursday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Due to the anticipated response, appointments are strongly encouraged. Visit CBCO.org for more information.