Officer Down

Correctional Officer Tracy Cooper
Illinois Department of Corrections
End of Watch: Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 15 years
Date of Incident: Monday, January 25, 2010

Correctional Officer Tracy Cooper died from complications during corrective surgery he was undergoing to repair an injury sustained while struggling with a juvenile inmate.

On January 25th, 2010, Officer Cooper had escorted the convicted felon to a court appearance in Cook County. The presiding judge ordered the inmates restraints to be removed during the hearing. Once the restraints were removed, the inmate attempted to escape from the courtroom. Officer Cooper immediately subdued the inmate but tore his left rotator cuff when they fell to the ground.

While under anesthesia for the surgery Officer Cooper slipped into a coma. He never regained consciousness and passed away the following day.

Officer Cooper had served with the Illinois Department of Corrections for 15 years and assigned to the Statesville Correctional Center. He is survived by his wife and three children.

Rest in Peace Bro…We’ll Continue The Watch

Day is done, Gone the sun, From the lake, From the hills, From the sky. All is well, Safely rest, God is nigh.