Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in Peace Police Officer Ryan Copeland. Thank you for your service to this country and your community. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and your department at this time.

Chief Reuben C. Black
Barnwell Police Dept., Barnwell, SC

November 25, 2015

RIP Officer Copeland. My thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and your department. GOD SPEED.

Senior Deputy Sheriff Dave Zajac
Walton County Sheriff Office GA

November 25, 2015

To The Family of Police Officer Ryan P. Copeland

We morn with you. When we lose a loved one, it grieves the heart, and makes us yearn for tomorrow, when God will keep the promise he made (Rev. 21: 3,4) of no pain, no death, and no sorrow.

Our deepest condolences to you.

Cpl. William Stanback (Retired)
Pennsylvania State Police

November 25, 2015

My deepest condolences to your family, friends & fellow Officers. Thank you for your years of service, in both uniforms you dedicated your life to help, save & serve others.

Gail Vollmer
Citizen

November 25, 2015

R.I.P. BROTHER Copeland!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

November 25, 2015

Dear Family, Friends, Department, Community, & Country
May The God of Peace be near you with His Comforting Arms ...
My Family sends condolences ...
RIP Ryan, Son of Valor, with Honor.
Gone from Our Arms ... Forever in Our Hearts ...

Karen Morgan, PSY & LE , Grad
Eagles Wing Baptist Church, Sisseton,SD

November 25, 2015

RIP Brother.Thank you & God Bless.

Lt.Robert M.Petty (ret)
No.Bergen, N.J. P.D.

November 25, 2015

Rest In Peace Brother.

Det. Randy Evans
Kansas City Missouri Police Department
Son of Patrolman Robert Wayne Evans
E.O.W 10/14/1971
HEROES LIVE FOREVER

November 25, 2015

God's Blessings to family and friends...

Harold & Madeline Altman
EOW Survivor...Dep. Harold Michael Altman, 2007

November 25, 2015

Thank you for your diligent service to McFarland and to the USA. RIP brother. God's speed to your resting place.

Senior Corporal Peter P. Grazer
Kutztown University PD

November 25, 2015

While we are deeply saddened by your passing, the Law Enforcement Community was enriched by your professionalism, your service, and your sacrifice. Our thoughts are with your family, department, and friends. May you Rest In Peace.

Zone 5 Academy Session 59
New York State Regional Law Enforcement Training Academy

November 24, 2015

Rest with God Officer Copeland, your tour here is over and thus you are home and happy. Prayers for your family during your home going. Your dedicated service both in Military and Civilian servitude will never be forgotten.

retired Police Officer Bob Lester
Midland Texas Police Department

November 24, 2015

"The Final Inspection"
The policeman stood and faced his God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining.
Just as brightly as his brass.
"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To My church have you been true?"
The policeman squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.
I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.
But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep....
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.
And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.
I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.
If you've a place for me here,
Lord, It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't.....I'll understand.
There was silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgment of his God.
"Step forward now, policeman,
You've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell."
Author Unknown

Sergeant Chad Miner
Powell PD

November 24, 2015

It will be a very sad Thanksgiving for the community of McFarland, Wisconsin as they mourn the death of a police officer who was killed in the line of duty. It was also be a very sad Thanksgiving for the family of Officer Ryan Copeland as they mourn his death. He was taken too soon and he was a great police officer looking forward to spending time this Thanksgiving and there will be one empty seat at the table for this Thanksgiving. That will be for Officer Copeland who was killed in an accident. My thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time of a very tragic event. When a police officer loses his life not just the family mourns so does the community and all the other police departments.

Bradford Paulson
Observer

November 24, 2015

And may the Lord take you and keep you, and may HIS Perpetual Light Shine upon THEE! Rest In Peace Brother!

Deputy Sheriff Jerry Chavez
Eddy County Sheriff's Office

November 24, 2015

God Speed, Brother.

Sgt. K. Murphy
Union PD, NJ

November 24, 2015

Ryan, you were taken far too soon. You were a great handler, just starting your career with Boris. I can still remember the first time I met you and had the pleasure of working your dog at the kennel. It's a hard pill for us all to swallow, knowing that you served our county overseas, only to die so tragically at home. You will be missed greatly by all of us, especially those of us whom had the pleasure of getting to know you and Boris. Rest easy sheepdog.

Deputy Sheriff B. Noll
Marquette County Sheriff's Office

November 24, 2015

John 5:28,29 reads "Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out." May the loving words and promise of our heavenly Father provide some comfort to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Copeland. You are in my prayers.

Lem Toatley Dispatcer
Orlando Police Department

November 24, 2015

Rest in Peace now Officer Copeland. My sympathy to your family and the
McFarland Police Department.

Detective (retired) Richard Burger
Fond du Lac Wis. City Police

November 24, 2015

God Bless and Godspeed.

Lisa B.
GEORGIA CIVILIAN SUPPORTER

November 24, 2015

TO THE FAMILY, FRIENDS AND COLLEAGUES OF MCFARLAND POLICE DEPARTMENT, POLICE OFFICER RYAN P. COPELAND I.D. #K8435.

My heart is filled with great sadness at learning of the lost of your loved one and fellow Officer.
We in the law enforcement community are a family, although our uniforms may be a different style and vary in color, a badge, shield or star may be pinned upon our chest.
Our areas of enforcement may vary but our goals are the same, to serve and protect our communities. We consist of many different agencies from across the nation, for we are:
Municipal Police Officers, Sheriff's Deputies, State Police Investigators, State Highway Patrol Troopers, Conservation Police Officers, College Campus Police Officers, Correctional Officers and Federal Agents just to name a few.
We patrol small towns, large cities, college campuses, county roads, state highways, state parks and the United States Borders.
Whether active duty or retired, we are one family, a Law Enforcement Family, the thin blue line of protectors, brothers and sisters bonded together by Honor, Service and Pride.
Daily we honor our fallen brothers and sisters never forgetting their sacrifice.
Daily our position is clear that we will Serve and Protect our communities without faltering and with no hesitation.
Daily we show pride in our chosen profession Law Enforcement, for we willingly walk the line of Good over Evil facing the unknown with courage keeping our trust and faith in GOD.
We know that evil roam these streets and at any moment in the course of performing our duties the ultimate sacrifice might be required of us in the service to our community, for Law Enforcement is not a job but a calling and only a few will make the decision to commit to that calling to serve for some will give all that they have.
OFFICER COPELAND
You did not die in vain.
You sacrificed your life in the service to the citizens of McFarland in the State of Wisconsin with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION.
I'm proud to have worn the uniform of a law enforcement officer like you did.
I'm proud to have pinned the badge upon my chest like you did.
I'm proud to have served and protected my community as you did.
I'm proud to call you my Brother!
I commend you my fallen brother for making the ultimate sacrifice in the performance of your duty.
For you left us doing what you chose to do.
Performing a job you were trained to do.
Upholding the oath you swore to do.
Most importantly doing what you loved to do..........Serving and Protecting your community with Honor and Pride making a better and safer place for us all.
FINAL CALL
Officer Copeland status.........Officer Copeland status..........
Officer Copeland status.........Attention all Units.................
McFarland Police Department, Police Officer Ryan P. Copeland I.D. #K8435 having served the citizens of McFarland in the State of Wisconsin with HONOR, PRIDE and DISTINCTION is now 10-42.
Rest in Peace my fallen Brother, YOU WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN!!!

Senior Master Investigator Cardell L. Dobbins #188 (Ret.)
Illinois Secretary of State Department of Police District 01, Region 01

November 24, 2015

Rest in Peace Brother.

Chief Deputy Craig Faulstich
Sawyer County Sheriff's Office

November 24, 2015

Peace be with you and your family. Thank you for your service. You are a hero.

Mother of LEO

November 24, 2015

The National Police Wives Association would like to extend their heartfelt prayers to the family of Officer Copeland and the McFarland Police Department during this time. Thank you, Officer Copeland, for your service.

Administration
National Police Wives Association

November 24, 2015

In Honor of your Sacrifice and for your family and friends, I salute you as a HERO! May God
Give the family and friends the strength and faith to deal with this tragic loss. Words can not express my sorrow!

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell

Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright BMI © 1993 - All Rights Reserved

Investigator David L Bell (Retired)
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

November 24, 2015