Incident
Patrolman Samuel Cooper succumbed to an infection from a gunshot wound suffered one week earlier when he was attempting to arrest an armed robbery suspect at 2:00 a.m. While on patrol, Patrolman Cooper witnessed a subject exiting a closed saloon at 329 South Michigan Street. As he tried to apprehend the subject, the man fired and struck him in the hip. He returned fire, and despite striking the subject, he got away. Another officer arrested the subject a few blocks away when he noticed him covered in blood. The suspect was convicted of Patrolman Cooper's murder and sentenced to life in prison on June 21, 1901. He was paroled in 1911. Patrolman Cooper had served with the South Bend Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Cooper gave the South Bend Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the South Bend community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Cooper.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Bend Police Department has lost 15 officers; 11 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1900, 1 officer at South Bend Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 10 years on record. The heaviest was 1933, with 2.
In 1900, 3 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1900, 86 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 74th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1900, 89 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 77th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 41. Of the 11 killed feloniously at South Bend Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 39; the middle age was 36. Samuel had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Samuel was 41. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Samuel was 41. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 2.3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 18.2% of these deaths at South Bend Police Department, more than any other month. Thursdays: 18.2%.
November holds 7.4% of these deaths in IN; January holds the most, 11%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 73.3% of all 15 deaths at South Bend Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 36.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 26.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
South Bend Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
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Oscar W. Christensen
May 11, 1897
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Lewis Keller
Feb 25, 1898
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Samuel Cooper Nov 1, 1900
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Hans B. Brandt
Jun 18, 1916
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Fred E. Buhland Jan 10, 1921
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Neil Mason McIntyre
Dec 25, 1923
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Lloyd L. Thompson
Feb 27, 1932
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Charles E. Farkas, Sr.
May 27, 1933
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Delbert Thompson
May 27, 1933
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Howard C. Wagner
Jun 30, 1934
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Ronald S. St. Germain, Sr.
Aug 19, 1967
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Thomas J. DeRue, Sr.
Nov 14, 1974
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Paul Richard Deguch
Aug 24, 1997
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Scott Lee Severns
Apr 23, 2006
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Nick Samuel Polizzotto
Apr 24, 2007
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
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