And beyond.
Alleged Militia Member Dead, Deputy Shot
Eagar, Ariz.
Nov. 6, 2001 12:15 PM
Get the Latest
An Apache County sheriff's deputy may be paralyzed after being shot in the head by a so-called militia member, who was shot and killed by officers.
The incident happened in the town of Eagar, which is located in the eastern part of the state, close to the New Mexico border.
Sheriff's deputies were trying to serve an arrest warrant on William Cooper, who has reportedly been known to be hostile toward law enforcement. In order to approach the home, deputies disguised themselves as a bunch of rowdy teenagers in the back of a pick-up truck in hopes of luring Cooper out of his home and it apparently worked.
However, when Cooper realized what was happening, he reportedly pulled a gun and shot the 40-year-old deputy in the head.
During the gunfight, Cooper was reportedly shot and killed.
Officials say Cooper belongs to a militia movement and has published several articles in anti-establishment articles. He also reportedly has a Web site and on it, acknowledges there is an arrest warrant for him, but writes "Any attempt by federal government or anyone else to execute the unlawful arrest warrants will be met with armed resistances. Any person who attempts to kidnap our children will be shot upon discovery."