CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Charleston Police Department has gained another member of Lt. Steve Cooper’s family.
“I guess you could say it’s definitely the family business now,” said Cooper, who serves as Charleston’s Chief of Detectives.
His son Matthew Cooper, 19, of Cross Lanes, was sworn in during a ceremony held at Charleston City Hall Friday morning along with four other new police officers.
Last year, Cooper’s older son Jacob graduated from the State Police Academy and now serves as a patrolman. Matthew and Jacob’s uncle Chris Cooper works as a detective.
“I have seen all the great things my father and brother have done to help the community out and it really just makes me want to strive to be great like them,” Matthew Cooper said. “I’m excited to help serve the community of Charleston.”
Lt. Cooper admitted his son won’t have an edge just because he has family who already works for the department. He said Matthew will have to work hard like Jacob has.
“If anything, I think it makes it tougher. There’s a lot of expectations on him to perform at a high level and I’ve always been that way with him,” he said. “We have a close relationship — I do with both of them — but if anything, he’s going to have to work maybe a little harder than everybody else.”
His sons are like “night and day” when it comes to their personalities, but their character and willingness to help others is the same, Cooper said.
“Jacob’s a little more serious. Matthew’s a little more of the jokester of the two, but they’re both hard workers and bright guys,” he said.
Hunter Roberts, 27, of Summersville said he had been looking forward to this day for the last several years. He previously worked for the West Virginia Division of Corrections, but knew he wanted to get out in the community more.
“I always wanted more and with corrections, you see the backside of it,” Roberts said. “I like being out in public. I like helping people. It’s kind of more of the community side.”
The five new officers will begin their 16 weeks of training Monday at the State Police Academy in Institute.
Roberts said he’s ready.
“A little nervous today,” he said with a laugh. “Sunday will be the nervous day, I’m sure, but Monday morning — mind over matter.”
The list officers who were sworn in Friday are as follows:
Daniel Cart, 24, of Red House
Matthew Cooper, 19, of Cross Lanes
Zachary Cyrus, 24, of Cross Lanes
Darrin Daugherty, 25d, of Charleston
Hunter Roberts, 27, of Summersville