A Georgia police officer who battled for his life after he was shot in the head in the line of duty in 2018 has returned to work following a remarkable recovery journey.
Police reports stated that the officers from the Covington Police Department were advised that three suspects, including an 11-year-old, 15-year-old, and an adult, that day were trying to steal red bandanas from inside a store. They were seen concealing items in a large “backpack type bag.”
When the officers arrived on the scene shortly before 12:30 p.m., two of the suspects were escorted to the loss-prevention center of Walmart, and the items were returned.
However, a third suspect, who was later identified as 21-year-old Aaron Fleming, ran away. Officer Cooper and a sergeant then tried to search for him by running in a nearby building in the opposite direction. Soon after, the sergeant heard two gunshots and found Officer Cooper to be injured and unconscious. The man accused of shooting the officer was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Once the scene was safe, the two other boys were interviewed and returned to their parents.
The critically wounded officer was initially life-flighted to Atlanta Medical Hospital, where he was being treated. The father of two then went to Grady Memorial Hospital, where he underwent immediate surgery to relieve pressure on his brain, after which he was transferred to Shepherd Center in Atlanta for brain-injury rehabilitation. He remained there for a few days until Christmas 2018.
In the following months, his family and community came forward to support him through his recovery.
“It meant the world to me, and to be able to finish with a quick jog for at least 10 feet, it meant a lot to me,” Cooper said.
Alluding to this special moment, Capt. Ken Malcolm with the Covington Police Department said: “He was being told, his family was being told, that he would be in a wheelchair. He would not be in a position to run or walk.”
“So for him to be able to get out and lead hundreds of people in a race is miraculous,” he further added.
Now, 20 months after the incident that changed his life in an instant, he has achieved another milestone by walking through the doors of the Covington Police Department.
As the police department welcomed back the officer on May 18, 2020, Chief Stacey Cotton said: “It was a day of excitement and relief to see Matt walk back through the door of the Covington Police Department.”
The officer said that he is technically a “volunteer” and is currently working for a few hours a day. However, he is gradually aiming towards coming back on a salary. Cotton also mentioned that Officer Cooper will be doing community outreach, administrative, and support duties.
