Second Missouri officer won’t survive, police say

A Missouri police officer who was shot together with two different officers throughout a violent confrontation at a Joplin shopping center this week “won’t recuperate” from his accidents, Police Chief Sloan Rowland mentioned Thursday.

Rowland introduced that patrol officer Jake Reed’s household mentioned he was being ready to donate organs and that his “heroic actions” would “deliver life” to others. 

“We’re so proud, so grateful and without end in debt for his service to this neighborhood. … Jake is an excellent younger man,” Rowland mentioned.

Joplin Mayor Ryan Stanley described Reed as “certainly one of our greatest.”

“I can’t think about attempting to switch him,” Stanley mentioned.

Cpl. Benjamin Cooper died on Wednesday after being shot within the preliminary confrontation on Tuesday. A 3rd officer, Rick Hirshey, stays in critical however secure situation, Rowland mentioned.

Reed joined the pressure in 2017. He and Cooper had been among the many first officers to confront 40-year-old Anthony Felix, who shot each officers, stole a patrol automotive and fled the scene.

He later crashed the automotive and was on foot when Hirshey noticed him attempting to steal one other car and positioned his patrol car to cease the theft. Felix shot Hirshey by the windshield and hit him within the face, Rowland mentioned. Rowland described Hirshey as “attempting to finish this violent rampage.” 

Hirshey retired three months in the past after greater than 20 years of service however returned to the division as a member of the “crime free” workforce. He’ll face critical well being issues and a number of other surgical procedures within the coming days, the chief mentioned.

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Felix was then shot and killed by Capt. William Davis, Rowland mentioned. Davis, a veteran of greater than 15 years who serves because the division’s public data officer, left cowl and uncovered himself to cease the suspect.

“If not for Capt. Davis’ actions, extra officers and residents may have been killed,” Rowland mentioned.

Joplin Metropolis Supervisor Nick Edwards opened Thursday’s press convention saying Reed’s standing by saying, “The tragedy continues.” He added that he’d spoken with the daddy of one of many officers who was shot, and mentioned that father shared with him that “his son’s hope can be that they might enhance officer pay and totally workers the police division.”

Police haven’t launched any details about Felix. 

Contributing: The Related Press