Hundreds gather to honor fallen Greenville Police Officer Cooper Dawson
ROCKWALL – Fallen Greenville Police Officer Cooper Dawson was laid to rest Tuesday morning.
Hundreds of people, including family, friends and police officers from across North Texas, gathered at Lakepointe Church in Rockwall to remember the life of Dawson.
Dawson, 27, was killed in the line of duty on Nov. 25. Police said he was conducting a traffic stop that evening that led to a foot pursuit. While pursuing the suspect, Dawson was ambushed and shot multiple times.
Police said that despite his critical injuries, Dawson returned fire, striking the suspect, later identified as 25-year-old Christian Robert Sparger.
As Greenville and all of North Texas mourn the death of Dawson, CBS News Texas sat down with someone who knew Dawson before he ever put on the badge.
"This was his ultimate dream to be a police officer and serve his community. He had that servant heart," said Kevin Quintanar, an old friend of Dawson.
The Greenville Police Department said Dawson was highly respected. Prior to joining Greenville PD, Dawson served with the Garland Police Department. He was also a military veteran with the National Guard and had been with the Greenville PD for over a year and a half. He was also a member of the SWAT team and an instructor for fellow officers.
"Cooper had this thing he always did, he gave you a wink and a noise he made with his mouth, and it was usually followed with 'I got this,' said Greenville Chief Chris Smith.
Smith said Dawson started around the same time as him, adding that Dawson was truly a hero to the very end.
"He went down fighting like a lion, I am so proud of that boy," Smith said.
Dawson's wife Aubrey said they had dinner with their three kids at Chili's before that traffic stop Monday night.
"When we left Chili's his last words to us were. 'I love you,' with a hug and a kiss," Aubrey recalled, "Rest in Peace my love, watch over us. I got the kids from here. You are my hero. You will never be forgotten, and I love you."