Chief Brent F. Cooper was born on December, 1954 in Florence Arizona to Joe and Anne Cooper. Chief Brent Cooper grew up in Florence Arizona before coming to Flagstaff to attend Northern Arizona University. Brent held a B.S. and Masters degree from Northern Arizona University in Criminal Justice. He is a graduate of the 182nd Session of the FBI National Academy and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Program.

Having risen through the ranks of his Department over the past 33 years, Brent Cooper has served as the Chief of Police of the Flagstaff Police Department since July of 2006.

During his law enforcement career, he has served in a variety of operational and administrative positions. These assignments include uniform patrol, detectives and the Department's Tactical Operations Team. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1981 where he supervised a patrol squad for the next nine years while being assigned as the team leader to the tactical unit and in charge of the Department's firearms training program. He was instrumental in developing numerous new programs, including the Department's conversion to the Glock Pistol, being the first agency in the State to do so. As a Lieutenant and later Deputy Chief, he spent time managing the Patrol and Detective Sections of the Operations Division.

He has also served as the Department's Silent Witness Program Director, an Executive Board Member for Project Safe Neighborhoods for the U.S. Department of Justice and is a member of the Anti-Terrorist Advisory Council. He is also Vice-Chair of the Coconino County Criminal Justice Coordinating Council, holds a position on the local Weed & Seed Board and a member of the Coconino County Juvenile Court Advisory Board. He has also contributed to his community by serving on numerous non-profit boards such as Victim Witness Services of Coconino County (past President), United Way of Northern Arizona, and the YMCA.

Brent is also the recipient of several professional awards such as the Arizona Attorney General's Distinguished Service Award, for working with victims of crime, the Flagstaff City Manager's Humphrey Excellence Award for leadership, providing customer service and instilling teamwork within the City, and the Flagstaff Police Department Meritorious Service Award for personal bravery. He is a member of many organizations such as the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Arizona Association of Chiefs of Police, the FBI National Academy Association, the International Association of Ethics Trainers, the 100 Club and the FBI Law Enforcement Executive Development Association.

Brent and Julie had three children; Brent (B.C.) Leslie and Brian. Brent is survived by his wife Julie, the love of his life, his daughter Leslie, son B.C., his grand daughter Elise, parents Joe and Anne, brother Cort, sister Pam, niece Cortney , Winston his faithful companion and a host of family and friends. His family takes great comfort in knowing Brian was there waiting to greet his dad.

Services are scheduled as follow:

Public viewing will be held at Norvel Owens Mortuary (914 E. Route 66) on Thursday October 13th, 2011 at 6 pm.

On Friday morning October 14th, the procession will leave Norvel Owens at 9 am en route to the formal funeral service at the Pepsi Amphitheater located at Ft. Tuthill. The procession will travel from the mortuary west on Route 66 past City Hall proceeding south on Milton to I-17 then to Pulliam drive into Ft. Tuthill. Funeral services will begin at 11 am.

Internment to follow at Calvary Cemetery (201 W. University), after which a celebration of Brent's life will be held at Pepsi Amphitheater at Ft Tuthill beginning at 2:30 pm. The family requests those in attendance to please wear Hawaiian Shirts (attire) in celebration of his life.

The family requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the benefit of the Fallen Officers Memorial through Citizens Against Substance Abuse (CASA)



Directions to the Pepsi Amphitheater

From Flagstaff:
Take Interstate 17 South to Exit 337. Turn right. Go straight at stop sign into the park. Follow signs for "Amphitheater".
From Phoenix:
Take Interstate 17 North to exit 337. Turn left. Go straight at stop sign into the park. Follow signs for "Amphitheater".
From Interstate 40, heading east towards Flagstaff:
Merge onto Interstate 17 South via Exit 195 (toward Highway 89-A South/Sedona/Phoenix). Take Interstate 17 South to Exit 337. Turn right. Go straight at stop sign into the park. Follow signs for "Amphitheater".
From Interstate 40, heading west towards Flagstaff:
Take Exit 195 (toward Highway 89-A North/Flagstaff/Grand Canyon). Merge onto Interstate 17 South via the exit on the LEFT toward Sedona/Phoenix. Take Interstate 17 south to Exit 337. Turn right. Go straight at stop sign into the park. Follow signs for "Amphitheater".