South Bend Police Department, Indiana
End of Watch: Thursday, November 1, 1900
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 2 years, 4 months
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 25, 1900
Weapon Used: Handgun; .32 caliber
Suspect Info: Paroled in 1911
Patrolman Samuel Cooper succumbed to an infection from a gunshot wound suffered one week earlier when he was attempting to arrest an armed robbery suspect at 2:00 a.m.
While on patrol, Patrolman Cooper witnessed a subject exiting a closed saloon at 329 South Michigan Street. As he tried to apprehend the subject, the man fired and struck him in the hip. He returned fire, and despite striking the subject, he got away. Another officer arrested the subject a few blocks away when he noticed him covered in blood.
The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Cooper's murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 21, 1901. He was paroled in 1911.
Patrolman Cooper had served with the South Bend Police Department for three years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.