Today was a difficult day for Sebastian County law enforcement and the entire community. My heart goes out to the family of Officer Cooper, and we will continue to lift them up in prayer. Sebastian County's outstanding Sheriff, Bill Hollenbeck, gave an incredible eulogy. He told the several hundred officers present "don't listen when someone in the national media portrays you as a bad guy. You're a hero. Keep doing what is right. Don't let evil acts like this distract us from doing our jobs the right way and from what God calls us to do." Well spoken, my friend. May the tragedy of Officer Cooper's death inspire us to support law enforcement, work to make our communities better places, and answer the call to serve. Thank you to all of those that wear blue and put their lives on the line to keep us safe.
There were over 400 police and emergency vehicles in the funeral procession, all of whom risk their lives for the safety of the public. Chief Darrell Spells is one of them. It is a testament to who he is that, after being injured in this shooting, he went to work yesterday protecting kids at a crosswalk on the first day of school. He and so many others are true heroes. I feel privileged to have worked alongside you as a prosecutor, and I will always stand with you.
- Conner