FedEx shooting: Who is Genae Cook? Indianapolis officer says 'no active threat' after gunman kills himself

As Cook has become the face of IMPD's response to the scene, here's everything we know about the veteran officer and her role at the IMPD. 

Who is Genae Cook?

According to a LinkedIn account for Cook, she has been with the IMPD since October 1996. In April 2016, she also began a job as a travel agent with GC Travel Destinations. It is unclear if this is a part-time or freelance role since the profile does not go into any details. All that is mentioned is that Cook was in the role till January 2021. We couldn't find any links or websites for the company, or a listing on Google Maps.

Cook graduated in 1992 from the University of Cincinnati with an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. It is unclear what she did between 1992 and 1996. Her only employer is listed as the IMPD. In 2017, Cook was one of the several members of the Public Affairs Office to receive a Unit Citation award. The IMPD recognized the office for "their commitment to accomplishing the unit’s goals by exhibiting dedication above and beyond the requirements of their normal assignments". 

Cook was also mentioned in a tweet by IMPD's Chief Communications Officer Aliya Wishner. In April 2020, Wishner tweeted, "And of course, thank you to my comms team @Gsibley6, @mikehewitt0, Aaron Hamer, Genae Cook, @RitaLReith, @IndyPSFdn + @irishsarge & the many @IMPDnews officers who worked behind the scenes to ensure Officer Leath received the send off she more than deserved." 

In 2019, her name appeared on the incident report of the drowning of Keshawn Stewart. Stewart was left to drown in a pond for over three hours before the IMPD called for assistance. A coalition of activists including a local Black Lives Matter chapter have called for the 21 officers, including Cook, to be fired for their conduct that night. However, Cook or her fellow officers are yet to face any disciplinary action. The same year, she made an appearance on the "Indiana State Police Road Show" radio program. 

Cook has been at the forefront of many media interactions by the IMPD. She doesn't seem to have a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram profile. Following the shooting at the Indianapolis FedEx facility, Cook made a brief statement to the press. She confirmed that the police responded to calls of a shooting just after 11:00 PM. She added, "we don't feel that there is an active threat to the community at this time". She also asked family members who couldn't get in touch with relatives working at the FedEx warehouse to visit the Holiday Inn Express at 8555 Stansted Drive for more information.