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ISP office named after Idaho's first fallen trooper

Trooper Fontaine Cooper was the first Idaho trooper killed in the line of duty.

His service to Idaho and his tragic death were memorialized this morning (Friday, Sept. 14) when ISP named the District 4 office in his honor. ISP officers, joined by citizens, elected officials, other law enforcement agencies and the news media, were on hand for the dedication ceremony in Jerome.

On Saturday, Nov. 23, 1935, Mildred Hook was kidnapped off the streets in Tacoma, Wash., by Douglas F. Van Vlack. Police throughout the Northwest were alerted to watch for the couple.

The following Monday, Idaho State Trooper Fontaine Cooper and Twin Falls Deputy Sheriff Henry C. Givins spotted Van Vlack's 1931 Ford coupe on Idaho 30 near Buhl. The officers pulled Van Vlack over. As Trooper Cooper approached the car, Van Vlack pulled out a pistol and shoot Trooper Cooper, killing him instantly.

Van Vlack then shot Deputy Givens three times; Deputy Givens died two weeks later.

Published 9-14-2012