Vance Cooper
Feb. 23, 1908-March 4, 1937
Niles Daily Star (Niles, Berrien Co., MI) Friday, March 5, 1937, page 1 col. 7-8, microfilm Niles District Library
TWO, HIT BY CAR, HURLED TO DEATH ON M-60
Niles Patrolman and Prisoner Are Killed Instantly
Vance Cooper Victim of Traffic Accident While Arresting Man Evicted From Bus; Three Oaks Driver Summoned to Inquest Following Services Monday.
Vance Cooper, 29, Niles patrolman, and James Crosby, 23, Chicago, a negro whom he had just placed under arrest, were hurled to instant death Thursday night at 7:55 when struck by a car on M-60, three miles west of Niles.
The car was driven by Roy Hoadley, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hoadley, Three Oaks. He was accompanied by his sister, Josephine, 16, The couple was en route to Niles to attend the District tournament basketball games. Neither occupant of the car was injured.
Hoadley is under arrest and is released to the custody of his father pending findings at the inquest. Coroner Louis Kerlikowske has set the inquest date immediately following the funeral. Services will be held on Monday.
Driver's Statement
The car, Hoadley told sheriff's officers, was travelling at 45 miles an hour. It came to a halt 288 feet beyond the place where the two were struck. Cooper was hurled 170 feet and the negro 200 feet.
The fatal accident occurred as Cooper was leading his prisoner across the highway to the police car. The negro who had boarded the eastbound Greyhound bus in Chicago was en route to Jackson. Letter found on his clothing at the Rutherford funeral home were the only means of identification. They revealed his name and the fact that he has a wife in Ypsilanti. State police were making an effort to get in touch with her today.
Crosby created a disturbance as the bus neared Niles, the driver told employes at the bus station. He drew a knife when the driver rebuked him. The driver stopped the bus and evicted the disturber, he told attaches of the bus station, who reported the incident to police.
Chief of Police Lloyd O. bates and Patrolman Cooper left immediately to bring the man to Niles. He was located about three miles west of here, had just been handcuffed and was being led to the police car when the crash occurred.
Reports Accident
With no telephone at hand Chief Bates told Hoadley to take the police car and drive to the station to report the accident. In his excitement the boy told Night Captain Harry Petersen that there had been an accident out on M-60 and an ambulance and deputy sheriff was needed.
Captain Peterson placed the call for an ambulance and then called Deputy Claude Huff. A few minutes later a motorist stopped at the station and reported that a Niles officer had been killed.
Coroner Louis Kerlikowske was called and the bodies were removed to the Rutherford funeral home. Patrolman Cooper was later taken to the Price and Kiger mortuary.
The death of Patrolman Cooper marks the fist fatal accident to a member of the Niles police force in the last 30 years. In August, 1907, Clarence Shockley, than a member of the force, was shot to death in the Niles lumber yard. His assailant was never brought to justice.
On Force since Aug. 1, 1935
Vance Cooper was one of the junior members of the police force. He joined the force on August 1, 1935. He was born in Cassopolis Feb. 23, 1908 and moved to Niles at an early age.
He was a graduate of Niles high school with the class of 1926. Throughout his high school career he participated in school activities, especially . . . both track and football.
Beside his wife, the former Maxine Knott, he is survived by one son, Dennis, aged seven. His mother, Mrs. Blanch Cooper, lives at 815 Grant street. Two brothers, Max and George, also live in Niles.
Funeral services will be conducted Monday afternoon at 2 o'clock at the Price and Kiger funeral home. The Rev. T.O. Lee of the First Methodist church will officiate. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
The body will lie in state at the funeral home until time for the funeral. Friends may view the body after 2 o'clock Saturday afternoon.
Funeral arrangements for Crosby are incomplete pending the arrival of relatives.