Officer Matt Cooper with the Washington Police Department is expected to make a full recovery but has a long road ahead.
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The peaceful plans faded when a car plowed into five people at Ted Drewes’ location in south St. Louis.
Those who know Cooper’s 15 years of public service weren’t surprised by what he did next: He tried to save as many lives as possible, putting himself in harm’s way to do so.
As Cooper worked to get people away from the vehicle to safety, the vehicle backed up and hit him with such force that he was thrown down the nearby Chippewa Street.
The heroic act left Cooper hospitalized, needing surgery on his leg and staples in his head. He’s expected to make a full recovery but has a long road ahead, according to a Washington Police Department spokesperson.
“It is unfortunate, but knowing the type of officer Cooper is, he was going to attempt to intervene or assist those in need,” said police Lt. Steve Sitzes. “That’s not surprising for this officer. I would really not expect anything less from him.”
Cooper told 5 On Your Side he hopes to spend Christmas at home with his family, but he hasn’t been told when he’ll be released.
The Chief Mason Griffith Foundation, an organization that helps first responders in Missouri and their families in times of need, started a fundraiser to ease the burden of medical expenses for Cooper’s family. People have donated nearly $4,000 of the fundraiser’s $10,000 goal as of Tuesday afternoon.
Click here to donate to the fundraiser.
