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Incident
Sergeant James Wouters and Lieutenant Cooper were shot and killed while participating in a drug raid at a mobile home at Midway and Christianson Roads in White City. At 9:40 pm, Sergeant Wouters, Lieutenant Cooper, and a third officer entered the front of the home, identifying themselves as police officers. Once inside, there was a barrage of gunfire. The other officers on the scene called for backup and went to the house's perimeter. K9s entered the home, and two officers entered after them to retrieve the fallen officers. One of the suspects fled during the gunfire and was never charged. The shooter was shot and killed during the gunfire. The third suspect confessed to the drug deal but received 20 years in prison for both murder charges and 15 years for drug charges to be served concurrently. Sergeant Wouters was transferred to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and underwent surgery but succumbed to his injuries the following afternoon. Lieutenant Cooper died before midnight. The third officer was wounded but survived. He was survived by his wife, who was working 911 dispatch when the call came in, and a daughter. Sergeant Wouters was posthumously promoted. On January 12, 2012, exactly twenty-five years after Lieutenant Grover C. Cooper III and Sergeant James A. Wouters were slain, the Fort Pierce Police Department Main Station was dedicated in their honor and officially renamed the Grover C. Cooper III, James A. Wouters Main Police Station.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, who was working 911 dispatch when the call came in, and a daughter.
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.
Sergeant Wouters gave the Fort Pierce Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Fort Pierce community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Wouters.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Fort Pierce Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
James is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.3% of the 1,006 remembered there.
James is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 10 officers in FL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
James was 33. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
James was 33. 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. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. James had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 9.7% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Tuesdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Fort Pierce Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.3% of all 1,006 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.7% 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 gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Fort Pierce Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Fort Pierce Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
