Sheriff Edward Thomas Coopman

Edward Thomas Coopman

Sheriff Edward Coopman suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to arrest a suspect who was creating a disturbance at Kunzer's Beach Resort in Oak Orchard.

When Sheriff Coopman asked the subjects to quiet down, a scuffle ensued. Sheriff Coopman collapsed and could not be revived. He died at the scene at 2:30 a.m.

The subject was arrested and charged with resisting an officer and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty in conjunction with charges of homicide by negligent operation of a car from a previous incident and was sentenced to two years. He received additional time for escaping from a work farm.

Sheriff Coopman had served as sheriff with the Oconto County Sheriff's Department for over five years. He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.