Rutland officer killed in alley on Talbot Street

The Rutland Mass Police Department has 14 members and one of them was Sean Cooney. After three years as a dispatcher, he was sworn in is a police officer back in February.

In the early morning hours of June 1, Cooney's body was found in the Talbot Street alley. He was bleeding from the head and was unresponsive. He later died at Wishard Hospital.

Cooney had been in Indiana to gather some of the items belonging to friend Norm Lesage. Lesage died in April.

The Rutland Police Department said Cooney was well-liked and respected. In a statement they said, "his passing has been a devastating blow to our community and he will be sadly missed."

"It is more tragic to us when we lose one of those who are protecting us," said Crime Watch Coordinator Leah Orr.

Orr said there is a bar nearby a new restaurant too. She said this part of the Circle City, is one of the city's safest.

"We have had a couple of shootings over the years, and fires, but this is shocking it really is," said Orr.

Cooney was found a little before 2:30 a.m. Homicide investigators interviewed several witnesses and have a person of interest in custody. IMPD said they will continue to investigate every lead to find who killed Cooney.