Detective Sergeant Samuel Coppedge

Detective Sergeant Samuel Coppedge

East St. Louis Police Department, Illinois

End of Watch Sunday, July 1, 1917

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Samuel Coppedge

Detective Sergeant Samuel Coppedge and Detective Frank Wadley were shot and killed during a race riot.

Earlier in the day a car occupied by white men had driven through a black area of the city and fired several shots randomly into a group of citizens. An hour later the detectives were driving through the same area and were mistaken for the original suspects. Several citizens opened fire as the car drove on Bond Avenue, east of 10th Street, killing both detectives and wounding two patrolmen.

The shootings sparked a massive race riot in the city. Thirty-eight black citizens and nine white citizens were killed, although it has been argued ever since that the number of black citizens who were killed was much higher. The killers of the two detectives were never identified.

Detective Coppedge was survived by his wife and son. He is buried at Saint James Cemetery in Saint James, Missouri.

Bio

  • Age 45
  • Tour Not available
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Gunfire
  • Weapon Gun; Unknown type
  • Offender Never identified

civil unrest

Most Recent Reflection

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Thank you for your service and please know that no passage of time will ever erase your sacrifice. Rest in peace always.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

July 1, 2020

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