Carroll Cooley Obituary, Death – A former officer of the Phoenix Police Department who was a participant in the historic decision by the Supreme Court to establish Miranda rights has recently gone away. On May 29, Carroll Cooley’s wife, Glee, shared the news that her husband had passed away. Cooley died in his sleep, his wife claimed. He was 87. In 1963, when Cooley made the arrest of Ernesto Miranda for sexual assault, he was working as a detective for the Phoenix police department. Miranda did confess to committing the crime at the time; however, his attorneys later stated that their client was never informed that he had the right to remain silent and that Miranda’s confession was obtained by coercion.
The case of Miranda was appealed all the way up to the Supreme Court, where the justices made the decision that any suspect who is going to be questioned must first be informed of their right to remain silent before the questioning can begin. These are now referred to as the individuals’ Miranda rights.
During an interview with Christina Carilla of FOX 10, Cooley stated that the entire trial and decision had a profound impact on his life. Even though Miranda knew he had the option to keep silent, he believes Miranda would have still confessed the crime.
Before taking his retirement in December of 1978, Cooley remained on the force with the Phoenix Police Department. In later years, he was employed by the Arizona Department of Public Safety as well as the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division. He volunteered his later years at a museum in the central business district that was devoted to the Miranda ruling. His wife, four children, 12 granddaughters, and 18 great-grandchildren are among those he leaves behind after his passing. Scottsdale will play host to a memorial event for Cooley in the near future.