Law enforcement officials from throughout the US gathered at the Leggett and Platt Center at Missouri Southern State University in Joplin on Tuesday to remember Joplin Police Corporal Ben Cooper who was shot and killed during a disturbance call last Tuesday. Officer Jake Reed was also killed. Officer Rick Hirshey was also shot, and severely injured but survived.

Former Joplin Police Officer Brian Henderson recounted a story that involved Cooper at Tuesday’s memorial. “What do cops do when they get bored? They do goofy stuff. So we’re crossing the Mississippi, we’re getting ready to cross the Mississippi River and Coop’s like, ‘hey get up next to them’. We’ll you can imagine what’s probably coming next right? Let’s just say, that as we crossed the Mississippi River that day when Jason and Dan looked over they saw a full moon.”

Public visitation for Officer Reed will be held at the Leggett and Platt Center tomorrow from 1 to 4 in the afternoon. Reed’s service will be held at the same location on Friday starting at 11 am.