Sergeant Thomas Joseph Cooper
Ontario Provincial Police
Ontario
End of Watch: Thursday, July 25, 1991

Biographical Info
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 19 years
Badge Number: 4478

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Thursday, July 25, 1991
Weapon Used: Rifle; .22 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 13 years without parole

Sergeant Cooper was posted to Grassy Narrows at the time of his death. Sergeant Cooper was shot dead on the Grassy Narrows Reserve near Kenora, Ontario, while responding to a firearms complaint with Constable Kevin Orchard. As they approached the house Sergeant Cooper was shot in the head with a .22 caliber bullet. His partner Constable Orchard went to his aid and was shot through the chest and his lung was pierced. Constable Orchard was able to radio for back-up before taking shelter in a nearby house. The suspect fled but later returned and ambushed the investigators.

Constable Bill Olinyk was struck by a bullet that entered between a gap in the side of his bulletproof vest. The suspect was captured 3 days later with the assistance of Constable Al Hyatt and his K-9, Tracker, who followed the suspect over 4 miles. The suspect was found guilty and sentenced to 13 years without parole. At his trial it was determined that the suspect was suffering from hallucinations from sniffing gasoline and reading comics about ninja warriors. He wanted to kill a police officer. Sergeant Cooper was with the OPP for 19 years.