Family touched by tragedy gives back to Orem Police


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OREM — Thursday was a busy day for the Kofford family as they prepared for their annual fundraiser, a 5k run in honor of their little boy.

"A bare-foot little beach bum with a tanned body and lots of energy," said Jana Lynn Kofford, Cooper's mother.

Cooper's Run is on Saturday in Orem. The reason behind the run is a family looking to give back to a portion of the local police department that helped them through the most tragic of circumstances.

On July 31, 2009, following a day of playing at the pool, four-year-old Cooper was lying down in the family's driveway to warm up.

"My sister did not see him and backed out of the driveway and he was killed instantly," Kofford said.

The way first responders treated her and the rest of her family that day is something she said she'll never forget.

"Cooper was lying in the driveway with a blanket over him and they parted very quietly and they allowed us to have a moment to talk to our children," she said. "What could have been a crime scene investigation was very peaceful and calm."

When it came time to decide where funds raised from years of "Cooper's Run" should go, they asked the people that helped them that day what they needed most.

They learned the Orem Police department desperately wanted to raise money to buy a police dog.


They said we would like you to name the dog and of course we would want it to be Cooper. Not only does it connect us to Cooper but everyone who comes in contact will know it came through Cooper.

–Jana Lynn Kofford, Cooper's mother


"These dogs are not cheap," Orem Police cpl. John Arnoldson said.

Through Cooper's foundation, the family was able to purchase the dog.

"He's young — only 14-months-old — and he gets to come home with me every night," Arnoldson said.

Added Kofford: "It made us feel like we can give back to them."

The police department wanted to give something to the family, too.

"They said we would like you to name the dog and of course we would want it to be Cooper," Kofford said. "Not only does it connect us to Cooper but everyone who comes in contact will know it came through Cooper."

The Koffords are now hoping to raise money for a bullet-proof vest for K-9 Cooper. Anyone interested in running in the 5K or donating to the cause can register in person or online.

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