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Incident
Officer Joseph Cooper succumbed to injuries sustained one week earlier in an automobile crash on East Lee Street, west of Arlington Street, while involved in a vehicle pursuit at about 3:30 am. The patrol car he was a passenger in struck a utility pole at the intersection of Lee Street and Springs Street. Officer Cooper was a U.S. Navy veteran.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents and sister.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Officer Cooper served with the Greensboro Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Greensboro community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joseph Gibbs Cooper served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Greensboro Police Department has lost 14 officers; 6 of them lost to accidents.
Joseph is one of 205 officers lost to accidents in NC, 30.9% of the 664 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1970, 1 officer at Greensboro Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1970, 2 officers in NC were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 90 years on record. The heaviest was 2018, with 7.
In 1970, 90 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1970, 107 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Joseph was 23. Of the 6 lost to accidents at Greensboro Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 23.3 and 27; the middle age was 24.
Joseph was 23. Of the 194 lost to accidents in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 35.
Joseph was 23. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Joseph was 23. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 33.3% of these deaths at Greensboro Police Department; November holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 33.3%.
August holds 6.3% of these deaths in NC; September holds the most, 12.7%. Sundays: 11.2%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 42.9% of all 14 deaths at Greensboro Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30.9% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 15.1% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 6.9% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was automobile, in 5.6% of these deaths.
His people
Greensboro Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
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William T. McCuiston
May 4, 1921
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Andrew C. Calhoun
May 29, 1921
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Elmer E. Honeycutt
Jun 15, 1924
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Joe R. Massey
May 31, 1959
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Edward Ford
Jun 8, 1962
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Joseph Gibbs Cooper
Aug 23, 1970
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Arthur Glenn Craft, Jr.
Feb 14, 1974
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Michael Gray Winslow
Jun 27, 1978
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Porter Link Robinson
Nov 23, 1992
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David L. Taylor
Aug 7, 2001
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Jared William Franks
Nov 10, 2018
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Donald Carter Webb Jr.
Jun 28, 2022
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Philip Dale Nix
Dec 30, 2023
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Michael Horan
Dec 23, 2024
Where
Military Service
Joseph Gibbs Cooper served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Gibbs Cooper’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 9-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Greensboro Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
