Joplin Police Officer Jake Reed, a 27-year-old male, succumbed to his injuries on March 11, 2022, following a violent encounter that began on March 8, 2022. The events unfolded when Officer Reed and other officers responded to a disturbance call at a shopping center in Joplin. Upon attempting to take a suspect into custody, the man opened fire, striking Officer Reed and Corporal Benjamin Cooper.
The suspect, identified as 40-year-old Anthony R.
Felix, then stole a police vehicle and fled the scene. A pursuit ensued, which ended when Felix crashed the stolen cruiser. He continued his flight on foot and engaged with other responding officers. In a subsequent exchange of gunfire, a third officer, Rick Hirshey, was shot and seriously wounded. The rampage ended when another officer, Captain William Davis, fatally shot Felix.
Officer Reed was transported to a local hospital in grave condition. He remained on life support for several days, allowing for his organs to be donated, a final act of service before his end of watch on March 11, 2022. Corporal Cooper also died from his injuries sustained in the initial shooting. The Jasper County Prosecutor's office later reviewed the investigation conducted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and determined that the officer's use of force in fatally shooting Anthony Felix was justified. The investigation also revealed that Felix was a convicted felon and was not legally allowed to possess the firearm he used in the shootings.
