Funeral held for fallen Greenville PD Officer Cooper Dawson
ROCKWALL, Texas - A fallen Greenville police officer was described as a true warrior and a hero during an emotional final farewell.
Officer Cooper Dawson's funeral was held on Tuesday morning at Lake Pointe Church in Rockwall.
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Dawson was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 25 while chasing a suspect on foot after a traffic stop.
His service was filled with stories about his courage and bravery.
Greenville Officer Cooper Dawson
Greenville Police Chief Chris Smith said Officer Dawson was the one who helped other officers tend his wounds.
"Cooper never lost focus. ‘Calm down. We’re alright. Put your tourniquet next to mine. This is what you've gotta do.' He was walking people through how to treat him. I don't know that I'll ever see that courage again," the chief said. "He was a true warrior and went down fighting the entire way. He went down fighting like a lion. I'm so proud of that boy. Yeah, Cooper could talk the talk but on that day, he walked the walk. Now he's gone, and we're here grieving."
First responders from Greenville and Garland stood at attention as the hearse carrying Officer Cooper Dawson's casket arrived at Lake Point Church in Rockwall for his funeral on Tuesday morning.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Procession held for fallen Greenville Officer Cooper Dawson
The chief said Officer Dawson lived a life of service.
He was a U.S. Army National Guard veteran, and before joining the Greenville Police Department, he served as a police officer in Garland.
"Cooper changed the dynamic of our team. His enthusiasm changed the way we trained. One day, I found out that Cooper was going to be in charge of training for SWAT. ‘You’re sure, Coop?' ‘I got this, Chief.’ And he did," Chief Smith said.
The 27-year-old was also a husband and father of three young children.
"We knew this was always a possibility. But you always think, that will never happen to me," said Aubrey Dawson, his widow.
She talked about having dinner with the whole family just 13 minutes before the deadly traffic stop. Before leaving, he gave them all a hug and told them he loved them.
"The kids and I will hold on to the memories you gave us and we will make sure your legacy lives on in the lives of others," she said.
The widow of Officer Cooper Dawson talks about his life during his funeral.
Aubrey Dawson thanked the medical team that worked for hours trying to save her husband's life.
"To my love, thank you for everything, Coop. You gave everything and I will carry that love in my heart," she said. "To the hospital staff and EMTs, thank you for working so hard on my husband, for never leaving his side, praying over time and making sure it was peaceful when it was his time at 3:53 a.m."
The suspect who killed Dawson, 25-year-old Christian Sparger, was wanted for several felony warrants. He's now charged with capital murder of a peace officer.
Christian Sparger, 25 (Source: Hunt County Jail)
Dawson's death marks the first line of duty death in Greenville in more than 100 years.
After the funeral, his body was escorted by fellow officers to Resthaven Funeral Home for a private burial service.