Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Cooney and Patrolman William Oliver were shot and killed by a juvenile suspect who was being arrested for burglarizing a local gas station. The suspect and a second juvenile suspect were handcuffed together and being placed into a patrol car when one of them grabbed Patrolman Oliver's service weapon and shot him. Patrolman Cooney, hearing the shot, rushed to the scene and was shot at by the suspects. He began to chase the suspects and as he rounded the corner he was shot several times. Although wounded, he continued to fire at the suspects. He then drove himself to the police station where he collapsed. Patrolman Oliver was taken to a local hospital by a passing milkman. Patrolman Oliver succumbed to his wounds on July 12, 1937. The 19 year-old suspect was arrested and sentenced to life in prison. He was paroled January 25, 1963.
Survivors
Patrolman Cooney was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-8648B34D- Stewardship
- 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Cooney served with the Roseville Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Roseville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cooney.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Lawrence Cooney is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In MI, 426 of 719 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.2% of this state's fallen. That is 59.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Roseville Police Department, 2 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lawrence Cooney's cause is highlighted.
How Lawrence Cooney Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lawrence Cooney is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lawrence Cooney was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Roseville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
