On Tuesday, March 9th, three Joplin Police officers exchanged gunfire with a suspect. This resulted in one Joplin Officer being killed along with the suspect and two other Joplin Police Officers sustained serious injuries in the gunfire.
Joplin Police officers responded to the area of 4th and Rangeline in regard to a disturbance just before 1:30pm. Once Officers were on the scene, they made contact with a subject who they identified as being involved in the disturbance.
Joplin Police Officers attempted to take the subject into custody, he then fired at the two officers and fled the scene in a stolen patrol car.
Joplin Police officers attempted to stop the fleeing suspect. The subject wrecked the stolen patrol car and fled from officers on foot. He was located around 9th and Connecticut. After locating the suspect, he again fired at officers, injuring one officer. Joplin Police returned fire, the suspect was struck and died at the scene.
Joplin Police have released the name of the deceased officer as Corporal Benjamin Cooper. The decease suspect has been identified as Anthony Felix, 40 of Joplin. The names of the two injured Joplin Police officers are being withheld at this time. One officer is listed in critical condition and the other officer is listed in serious but stable condition.
This is an ongoing investigation by the Missouri Highway Patrol.
