Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William C. Cooper, Deputy Sheriff Henry R. Campbell, and Deputy Sheriff Carter I. Jones were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a father and son who were wanted for four murders that had occurred in Bolivar County.
The deputies, along with Deputy Campbell's brother, who was also a sheriff's deputy, had gone to the suspects' cabin 4-1/2 miles southeast of Horn Lake Depot to arrest the men. As they approached the cabin on horseback they encountered the father who refused to obey their commands.
As Deputy Jones attempted to place the man into custody he attempted to draw a pistol but was fatally shot. Moments later the son emerged from behind the cabin and opened fire, shooting fatally wounding all three deputies during a prolonged shootout. Deputy Campbell's brother ran out of ammunition and was able to retreat. He returned to town where he obtained reinforcements and returned to the scene.
The subject who had shot them had fled the scene but several other people remained and were taken into custody.
Deputy Cooper was survived by his wife and three children.
Survivors
Deputy Cooper was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-3E3CEE58- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
128 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Cooper served with the DeSoto County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Hernando community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff William C. Cooper is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At DeSoto County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 10 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William C. Cooper's cause is highlighted.
How William C. Cooper Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William C. Cooper is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William C. Cooper was killed by rifle; winchester.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from DeSoto County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
