Police Officer Kenneth Malcolm Copeland, San Marcos Police Department, Texas

Police Officer Kenneth Malcolm Copeland

San Marcos Police Department, Texas

End of Watch Monday, December 4, 2017

Kenneth Malcolm Copeland

Police Officer Ken Copeland was shot and killed while he and other officers attempted to serve a warrant in the El Camino Real neighborhood on a man wanted for a crime of violence.

The officers were ambushed at the man's home on Cottonwood Parkway, near Capistrano Drive. Officer Copeland, who was wearing a vest, was struck multiple times. He was transported in a patrol car to Central Texas Medical Center where he succumbed to his wounds.

The subject who shot him surrendered following a brief standoff with members of the regional SWAT team.

Officer Copeland, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, had served with the San Marcos Police Department for 19 years. His death marks the first time in the department’s history an officer was killed in the line of duty, according to the city’s police chief.

Officer Copeland was working an overtime shift on the day he was slain. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 58
Tour 19 years
Badge 432
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Arrested

ambush, warrant

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Most Recent Reflection

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I worked with Officer Copeland twice during the time he was with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. Once at the downtown Civil Court House, and again at Carson patrol station. He was a dedicated deputy who worked hard and always applied himself to his duty. Further, he was a friendly, polite, and well liked man.

Glyn Morgan (retired lieutenant)
LASD

September 26, 2018