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Honor Guard stand by the coffin of slain court security officer Stanley Cooper as his funeral procession arrives at Central Christian Church in Henderson for a memorial service Monday, January 11, 2010.
By Cara McCoy 
Published Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 | 2:10 a.m.
Updated Monday, Jan. 11, 2010 | 7:51 p.m.
Funeral for Stanley Cooper
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Court security officer Stanley Cooper, 72, was honored in speeches from Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign at his memorial service Monday. His funeral procession went along the Las Vegas Strip and arrived at Central Christian Church in Henderson. A retired Metro Officer, Cooper was fatally shot when a disgruntled man opened fire at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas last week.
Stanley Cooper
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Hundreds gathered Monday afternoon to pay their respects to slain court security officer Stanley Cooper, who died in a hail of gunfire Jan. 4 at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse in downtown Las Vegas.
Sens. Harry Reid and John Ensign were two of the more than half-dozen speakers who addressed hundreds of mourners at Central Christian Church in Henderson.
Both senators have offices in the building where Cooper, 72, was fatally shot by a disgruntled man who opened fire with a shotgun shortly after 8 a.m. a week earlier.
“We cannot know how many lives were saved because Stan Cooper gave his,” Reid said. “(But what) we can know is deep, indescribable gratitude -- appreciation beyond the confines of our vocabulary -- for men like Stan who volunteer every day to be our first line of defense.”
Reid, like many other speakers, called Cooper a hero.
“It’s saddening and maddening to think of how much hatred and evil we must deflect and defend every day,” Reid said. “But through his courageous life, Stan Cooper reminds us that there are still good men and women who, when they wake up every morning and go to work each day, they put everything on the line to protect people they don’t even know.”
Senate Majority leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., left, with Sheriff Doug Gillespie at the funeral services for slain court security officer Stanley Cooper outside of Central Christian Church in Henderson Monday, January 11, 2010.
Authorities have identified 66-year-old Johnny Lee Wicks as the man responsible for the shooting that left Cooper dead and Deputy U.S. Marshal Richard J. Gardner, 48, wounded. Wicks was said to be upset over changes to his Social Security benefits.
In addressing the crowd, Ensign referred to an incident a few years ago on Capitol Hill involving an armed man who fired shots inside the building.
“It was a couple of brave officers on that day who gave their life just like Stan gave his life on January Fourth,” he said.
Ensign said he knew Cooper from his frequent trips in and out of the federal courthouse. He said he and his staff noticed how he was “always there with a smile.”
Ensign also commended the other law enforcement officers in attendance at the ceremony for their public service.
“(Cooper) was the one willing to take a bullet, just like each and every one of you who put on that uniform. You are willing to put your life down to protect the rest of us. Those of you on the front line, we owe, literally, our very lives to you for your willingness to protect us.”
Cooper was a resident of Sandy Valley, southwest of Las Vegas. He became a court security officer in 1994. Before that, he spent 26 years with Metro Police and retired as a sergeant.
He was born in Tulsa, Okla., on Sept. 30, 1937, and worked as an officer in Oklahoma for four years. He had been a Nevada resident since 1964.
John Clark, director of the U.S. Marshals Service, expressed condolences to Cooper's family and thanked Cooper for his duty, courage and bravery.
A memorial for slain court security officer Stanley Cooper is displayed in the lobby of the Lloyd George Federal Courthouse Monday, Jan. 11, 2010.
“I bet Stanley Cooper would not want to be called a hero. Neither would his fellow CSOs or deputy marshals and detention officers who stood in the way of evil last Monday,” Clark said. “They overcame evil with good because, in that age-old contest, good always wins out over evil.
“We owe Stan and (the other officers) a great debt of gratitude for saving countless lives by taking action, not shrinking back, and being bold as a lion.”
Sheriff Doug Gillespie said he was honored when Cooper’s family asked him to speak at the service.
“He was a good, solid cop,” Gillespie said, commending his 26 years with Metro Police.
“In our society, we often label people heroes for their performance in a singular, spectacular event. But it seems to me that a lifetime of quiet, dedicated service is more heroic and admirable than any single act,” Gillespie said.
He encouraged everyone to remember Stan Cooper as a hero, “Not because he died in a gunfight in the courthouse steps, but because he quietly and faithfully lived his life in service of others.”
Cooper was an active member of his church and enjoyed spending time with his family and horses, his pastor said during the service.
Pastor Chris Pruitt said Cooper devoted his life to protecting the citizens of Las Vegas during his time as a Metro Police officer and later as a court security officer. Cooper was a member of Pruitt's Northside Christian Church.
"He was the type who had a strong and reassuring presence," Pruitt said. “Stan devoted his life to protecting the citizens of Las Vegas. He put himself in danger every day so that we could go about our daily lives, never worrying, always knowing that we were safe.”
He recounted a story about Cooper’s time as a traffic sergeant on a day he was patrolling an intersection looking for speeders. A young man flew through the intersection and, out of the corner of his eye, saw Cooper’s radar gun pointed at him.
That man was Marshall “Marty” Cooper, one of Cooper’s four sons.
“Panicked, he turned around to see if this officer was going to come after him and give him a ticket – but instead, what he saw was a great big grin on the face of his father, with a great big ‘gotcha’ look on his face,” Pruitt said.
Cooper didn’t give his son a ticket, but it gave “new meaning to the phrase ‘wait ‘til your father gets home.’ Sure enough: When Stan returned home after his shift, Marty got an earful,” Pruitt said.
Pruitt wasn’t the only one with stories about Cooper to share. Friend and coworker Michael Garrity, who worked with Cooper at the courthouse for 16 years, said Cooper had many loves: family, God, horses and his position as a court security officer. He also had an affinity for donuts, the crossword puzzle and the “Jerry Springer Show.”
He said Cooper would arrive in the morning and cut the crossword puzzle and coupons from the paper, then refold it so no one would know it had been touched.
Garrity held up a newspaper with a number of squares cut out.
“This is what you get to read if Stan beat you to it,” he said.
At lunchtime, it was “Jerry Springer” for Cooper and his colleagues.
“Stan loved to watch ‘Jerry Springer’ and laugh at some of the weirdoes on that show. And if some of them had that certain twang in their voice, we would be quick to tell him ‘that one’s from Tulsa.’”
The funeral procession for slain court security officer Stanley Cooper arrives at Central Christian Church in Henderson for a memorial service Monday, January 11, 2010.
He said Cooper would grin and say, “you know, you’re probably right about that one,” then sit back and chuckle.
He commended his friend for standing his post and making the ultimate sacrifice.
“He gave his life to protect the occupants of the federal courthouse: it wasn’t a warzone in some desert country, in a jungle or on a distant battlefield. It was a war zone right in our place of work,” he said.
One of Cooper's favorite bluegrass groups, the Warburton Family, performed the song "Nearer My God to Thee" at the service, which began shortly after 1 p.m. at Central Christian Church, 1001 New Beginnings Drive.
The body of court security officer Stanley Cooper passes beneath a pedestrian bridge filled with onlookers Monday on the Las Vegas Strip.
Before the services began, the casket passed by the mourners as bagpipers and drummers played. Some saluted the casket -- others put a hand over their heart.
The funeral procession started at about 11:30 a.m. in downtown Las Vegas, continued south along the Las Vegas Strip, then along Interstate 215 to Henderson, prompting closures along the route.
More than 30 Metro motorcycle officers escorted the body to the church. The processional parked at the edge of the church’s parking lot before traveling beneath a giant American flag suspended by two fire department ladder trucks.
The flag-draped casket was in the back of a Metro Police truck. The family walked behind, accompanied by the honor and color guards. Mounted officers followed behind with the riderless horse honoring the fallen officer.
As the casket arrived at the entrance of the church, dozens of uniformed officers, both Metro Police and deputy U.S. Marshals, stood at attention, saluting.
Richard Bentley Cooper, center, the son of Stanley Cooper, cries after receiving a flag during the funeral services the slain court security officer Stanley Cooper outside of Central Christian Church in Henderson Monday, January 11, 2010.
As Monday’s funeral service ended, taps was played and a gun salute shattered the air. Five helicopters flew over the church. Deputy marshals and Metro Police officers walked past the casket, gave a salute and bid their fellow officer a final farewell. Both Reid and Ensign paused and placed their hands on the casket for a brief moment before passing it by.
The flag that draped the casket was ceremonially folded and presented to family members.
Cooper is survived by a brother, four sons, a daughter, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His body was to be cremated.
Its a shame that someones family can be destroyed by a piece of human garbage like Johhny Wicks. Rest in Peace Officer Cooper.
I am so sorry for the cruel way he was killed. I hope his family can find comfort through the next couple of months. R.I.P. Officer Cooper.
May God grant officer Cooper eternal rest for his soul. We all appreciate his sacrifice and that his family now suffer through.
A fitting memorial to Officer Cooper might very well be for Metro to name a Police Substation in his honor. He is a hero to his brother officers and such an honor would be an inspiration and example to not only his fellow officers, new officers, the public and his dear family. He is a true hero to his brother officers and deserves such a distinct honor for his noble sacrifice.
Sheriff Gullespie give this some serious thought. No expense would be involoved in naming an existing building and would be a wothwhile cause to be presented to the County Comissioners for official naming and dedication.
May God guide his soul.
Thank you officer Cooper.
Every Comment Site has its own "Bo-Bo" - ie, the dunk tank clown that utters insults and other nonsense drivel while hiding behind a metal cage. I nominate the above commenter "JohnnyTwoFingaz" as the official Las Vegas Sun's Bo-Bo for the day. Being a grateful recovering jerk, I will refrain from suggesting what Johnny should do with his "TwoFingaz" - other than maybe pulling his "TwoFingaz" out of his ears and putting them over his mouth. Thank you to all the Citizens of Las Vegas Nevada for honoring what my uncle stood for - ie, a Safe & Civil Community.
Johnny were are sorry you don't get the attention you crave so badly! Never getting picked in childhood games must have been devastating. Mom never had time to give you attention? Thanks for your shameless self-promotion as the official Sun wanker! P.S.- If you drive the strip then you inconvenience yourself. Remember Johnny no one knows you and nobody cares. Try to get out of your miserable rut of a life, ty!!
Johnny-
This man paid his taxes and union dues and has every right to be honored as the department sees fit. Don't be jealous just because you are a waste of air and don't deserve the same recognition. This man was in a position of public-servancy his entire life. What have you done to contribute to society..nothing more than ramble from behind a keyboard and complain about something insignificant. If you don't like it..don't get on the road. We've been warned of closures. If you chose to take the route anyways, too bad for you.
To Mr. Cooper's family..condolences to you for such a tragic, unnecessary loss. Hopefully you realize that most people support your family.
Do not let the rambling complaints from one idiot take away from that. Contrary to what Johnny thinks, most will remember this tragedy and your family member. They will not however think twice about remembering Johnny's comments or the fact that he exists..maybe he's jealous.
Gee Johnny life must be a drag for you! I'm retired after 27 years in the Army. I might have to try worthless customer service work, since you seem worthless care to show me how to provide those services? Sorry my extrapolating was the truth!
every liberal should hang their head in shame knowing they helped put his killer on the streets.
liberal = compassion for criminals.
stevem your inane rants are always about liberals, life must be boring for you!
stevem=needs new meds!
What about the construction workers that died building City Center, why didn't their funeral go down the strip??
Just what tourists want to see a funeral, "let's go to Vegas to get married and see a funeral."
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN METRO DOES AND EVENT FOR KIDS AND SOMEONE HOLDS A FUNERAL NEXT DOOR?
This is from the Tammany Hall days, such corruption, they think they own the town.
R.I.P.
What happened the other day was a tragedy and I am sorry for his family. People who simply open fire at innocent people are such cowards.
I would, however, agree that Metro should limit these memorials a bit. Please tell me that the extra police do not get overtime pay or anything for doing the memorial.
Comment removed by moderator. not related to story.
A beautiful and well-deserved service. Very touching. An honorable death after a long, fulfilling life. May we all be so lucky. Rest in peace.
truth hurts, libs.
A family loses a great man over a disgruntled piece of garbage. I hope Johnny Lee Wicks rots in **** for all eternity.
johnytwothumbs forgot to pull them out of his rear. Always has to be a couple of jackasses to run their mouths behind a screen.
May Mr. Cooper,Public Servant, HERO, rest in peace. My condolensces to the family.
Stan Cooper was a good man.
He was what this country was built on- grit, determination and decency.
Don't involve him in your political discussions.
Remember him for what he was, a good guy that served the public for many, many years.
That was a wonderful news video of the funeral.
This is a tourist town and they pay the taxes, for Metro. People attending a funeral object to the Westboro Baptist Church showing up, people coming to Vegas for pleasure do not want to see a funeral shoved in their faces when they have a good time. The area is big enough to have a funeral go in local areas, and leave the strip for fun seekers and tourists.
Did Danny Gans go down the strip?
A lot of this court stuff could be done on the Internet or telephone, (as some administrative hearings is done right now over the phone) and you would have less people and security hassles at court and other public buildings.
It is the DA, Feds etc. that want to drag people downtown to inconvenience them, so they cop a plea.
I hope Mr. Cooper's family knows how much the vast majority of us respect and honor him.
Well I just don't know what to say. Senseless comes to mind in the instant, but when i look at the family photos, all I can think of is sadness. RIP Mr. Cooper, best to your family.