RUFUS – Joseph Cooke, former Mesa State Representative, is set to lay in state at the Mesa State Capitol until Monday when he is buried back in Ackland. Cooke was killed on Sunday with his death being ruled an assassination. His killer has yet to be caught.

“The last thing we can do for Joseph Cooke is allow him to lie in state and be honored by all that he used to work with and to the public who have showed great support for his two children and wife Samantha after his tragic assassination on August 2,” said State Senator Elise Brunner. “He dedicated his entire life to public service and there is no doubt he would have made Mesa proud had he been elected to the Jesstopian Senate. We remember him for the hard work he did for the people of Mesa.”

Cooke was killed at his apartment in Ackland on the Northernmost tip of Alden County on Sunday and his death was quickly identified as an assassination. Cooke’s wife Samantha is wanted for questioning with a Federal Judge issuing a bench warrant for her arrest. DNA evidence was found by investigators, and they believe she had something to do with the late State Representative’s death.

Funeral arrangements were taken care of by the Cooke family as Senator Thomas Cooke is taking time off from the Senate to focus healing with his family. Cooke’s family has continued to ask for privacy as they navigate not only the loss but the legal proceedings that are ahead of them.

Governor Adamson extended the flag order he issued on August 2, extending the order for flags to remain at half-staff until Cooke is buried. Adamson is scheduled to visit the State capitol to pay his respects as other Republican State Senators vow to push the death penalty for Cooke’s killer.