Rodney Cooper dies in fatal Jackson Parish plane crash
Fatal Jackson Parish plane crash death of Rodney Cooper
Officials confirmed the identity of the man who died when his aircraft went down Tuesday. The Cirrus SR22, a single-engine plane, crashed several miles south of the Ruston Regional Airport. Cooper, who lost his life at the scene, had planned a direct flight from the airport to his base near Ruston. According to reports, the plane made multiple turns before hitting the ground in a wooded region near Highway 146 and Old Snipes Road. Air traffic controllers in Monroe reported losing contact with the aircraft as it approached Ruston. The pilot mentioned experiencing engine issues before the crash. Cooper was the sole occupant and was employed by LaSalle Corrections. He served for three decades with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, retiring in 2009.
