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Procession held for fallen Greenville Officer Cooper Dawson

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Updated  November 27, 2024 9:25am CST
Greenville
FOX 4

The Brief

    • There will be a police procession on Wednesday morning for Officer Cooper Dawson.
    • His body will be moved from the Collin County Medical Examiner's Office to a funeral home in Rockwall. It will circle the police department along the way.
    • Officer Dawson's funeral is expected to be sometime early next week.

GREENVILLE, Texas - The community continues to honor the Greenville police officer who died in the line of duty earlier this week.

There will be a police procession at 10 a.m. on Wednesday as Officer Cooper Dawson’s body is moved from the Collin County Medical Examiner’s Office to a funeral home in Rockwall.

Officer Dawson was shot late Monday night while chasing a suspect on foot after a traffic stop.

Greenville mourning death of brave police officer

Cooper Dawson was a public servant, father, husband, and friend. Dawson was murdered in the line of duty after trying to conduct a traffic stop before a man shot and killed him.

Police said 25-year-old Christian Sparger was wanted for several felony warrants. He allegedly ambushed Officer Dawson in a wooded area behind homes, shooting him multiple times.

Despite being fatally wounded, Officer Dawson returned fire and critically injured the suspect.

Dawson later died at the hospital.

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Greenville police officer shot and killed in 'ambush' attack, police say
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Greenville police officer shot and killed in 'ambush' attack, police say

The shooting death of Officer Cooper Dawson is the first line-of-duty death for Greenville PD in more than 100 years. Investigators say he was shot and killed during a chase and "ambush attack."

His death has been difficult for Greenville because he is the first police officer killed in the line of duty there in over 100 years.

He’s being remembered as a husband, father of three young kids, military veteran, and a hero.

"We lost a good man," said Greenville Police Chief Chris Smith. "He was an excellent officer. He came in under my command, and this one hits really hard."

Officer Dawson’s wife works for Royse City ISD. Members of both the law enforcement and education communities wrapped their arms around her on Tuesday night during a vigil.

Vigil held for Greenville officer killed in shooting

Officer Cooper Dawson is being remembered as a valued public servant, father and husband. He was also a proud military veteran.

Dawson’s family said they’ve been overwhelmed by the support from residents in Greenville and Royse City.

"The community outreach has been awesome. Our community loves us. I can’t say enough good things about this community . The community of Greenville, the surrounding communities, Garland, Rockwall, all the surrounding agencies that have helped us. I can’t say enough," said Greenville Lt. Brandon West.

Officer Dawson's funeral is expected to be sometime early next week.

The Source

  • The information in this story comes from a Greenville Police Department news conference, a vigil held for the fallen officer, and procession plans.