One Year later: Remembering the D.C. Navy Yard




Washington Navy Yard survivor Ms. Jennifer Bennett and U.S. Park Police Officer Matthew Cooney

  On Wednesday, September 10, 2014, just days before the 1-year anniversary of the Washington Navy Yard shooting, Ms. Jennifer Bennett, United States Park Police Officer Matthew Cooney, Pilot Sergeant Kenneth Burchell, and Rescue Technician Sergeant David Tolson reunited at the “Eagle’s Nest” to reflect on the Navy Yard shooting and their forever bond.

Officer Cooney had provided first aid to Ms. Bennett’s gunshot wound on the roof of Building 197 as they awaited the Eagle to airlift her to safety. Officer Cooney presented Ms. Bennett with a patch from the uniform shirt he wore on September 16, 2013. In awe, Ms. Bennett asked “what happened to your shirt?” Officer Cooney advised her that the shirt was badly damaged and had to be destroyed. However, he saved a patch for himself and a patch for her as a small token of remembrance and resilience. With an embrace, Ms. Bennett expressed how special and meaningful the patch was to her.