Cop Shot in Head Rushed to Surgery, Nurse Watches Him Mouth 'I Love You' to Wife
The community of Covington, Georgia, is rallying around police officer Matt Cooper who is fighting for his life after suffering a gunshot wound to the head.
Cooper responded to a shoplifting incident at a Walmart on Sept. 3 when he was shot by one of the shoplifting suspects, Fox 10 reported.
According to the Covington Police Department, Cooper is “in serious condition with a bullet lodged against his carotid artery.”
Cooper gave everyone a big sign of hope when he reportedly mouthed the words, “I love you,” to his wife.
“The nurse asked him, ‘did you just tell her I love you?'” the Covington Police Department wrote on Facebook. “And he nodded yes.”
Cooper, 34, has been with the police department for six years. He is a military veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and is married with two small children.
As Cooper fights for his life, the community of Covington is fighting to bring support to his family during this awful time.
Covington Police Chief Stacey Cotton described Cooper as an excellent police officer, according to The Covington News. Cotton and his colleagues have found a measure of solace in the support of the surrounding community.
“The community’s support and outreach for this police officer and this department show me that the public loves and cares for law enforcement,” an emotional Cotton said. “That they know it’s a tough job and we’re not always treated fairly.”
“A man got up to go to work today,” Cotton said. “The only thing he did was go to work — just like each and every one of y’all do — get up and go to work. And he was seriously and critically injured for doing his job.”
The Covington Police Department has released information on how to send financial support to Cooper’s family during this time and continues to update the public as information becomes available.
On Sept. 6, the department shared an update that Cooper had a successful surgery to relieve swelling, but remains in serious condition with the bullet still in his carotid artery.
“We don’t do this for the paycheck. We do it because we love it,” Cotton said of Cooper and the police department.
“And many of us feel like we’re protectors. Matt Cooper is one of those protectors. Not only does he defend this community every day, he defended this country overseas.”
People across the country are rooting for Cooper’s full recovery, humbled and thankful for his service.
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