Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Officer Copeland,
On today, the 5th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the USCG-especially during OIF. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Paratus!

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

December 4, 2022

San Marcos park to be renamed after Kenneth Copeland, officer killed in the line of duty in 2017

Copeland was killed while serving a warrant in 2017

Posted on December 2, 2020
KSAT NEWS

SAN MARCOS – City officials in San Marcos announced they are renaming a park to honor a police officer killed in the line of duty.

El Camino Real Park, located at 401 Cottonwood Parkway, will be renamed Kenneth M. Copeland Memorial Park.

Copeland was killed while serving a warrant in a San Marcos subdivision on Dec. 4, 2017. The suspect opened fire on Copeland and other officers, hitting and killing Copeland.

Copeland was the first San Marcos police officer to be killed in the line of duty in the department’s history.

This spring, officer Justin Putnam was killed and two others were wounded in a similar incident.

The park will be dedicated in Copeland’s honor at 2:45 p.m. on Dec. 4, however, the on-site ceremony will be limited to The City of San Marcos staff and Copeland family, due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

December 2, 2020

Rest in peace Officer Copeland.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

September 20, 2019

Ken was exemplary in the way he treated others, loved his family and served his country and the state of Texas. I miss my cousin and his soothing personality. He was a heck of a guy.

William Malcolm

July 24, 2019

Rest In Peace ofc. Copeland. Your nephew was my drill sergeant in basic. He mentioned you and your sacrifice a few times.

PFC S.
Army

December 18, 2018

Rest in peace my brother. You are a hero to all of us for your actions on that fateful day. May you continue to watch over your loving family, and may they gain strength in time for your great loss.

Lieutenant Raymond Flores
NYPD (retired)

December 4, 2018

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

I hope that everyone will find comfort in the scripture Acts 24:15-"And I have hope toward God, which hope these men also look forward to, that there is going to be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous." Until we see our loved ones again in Paradise on Earth, please accept my condolences.

A.W. Montgomery
Concerned Citizen

August 23, 2018

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Kenneth was killed.

To the Copeland family, fellow officers, and all who call Kenneth beloved, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I know you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace. I hope that your family knows that a nation mourned for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Kenneth gave to his community and the citizens of Texas and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on December 4th, 2017

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

August 13, 2018

I miss you, my brother. More than words can express.The Lord must have needed your help with an even greater mission. I think about you every day.

From a fellow officer
San Marcos Police Department

June 1, 2018

On behalf of my family, I extend our sincerest condolences on the grievous loss you suffered when Kennetg was killed. .

To the Copeland family, fellow officers, and all who call Kenneth beloved, my heart goes out to all of you and may you find comfort in your loved ones and your strength in your faith. When my son was killed, the entire law enforcement community in our area embraced us in a circle of love and support, and I know you will receive the same support. It makes the unbearable less torturous, and I pray for your solace. I hope that your family knows that a nation mourned for you.

This reflection is sent with the utmost respect for the dedicated service Officer Copeland gave to his community and the citizens of Texas , and for the supreme sacrifice he and his family made on December, 2017.

Phyllis Lasater Loya
mom of fallen Pittsburg Officer Larry Lasater, eow 4/24/05

January 25, 2018

Coasties are a unique breed. They join a military made up of warriors, even though they are by nature protectors at heart. Half cop, half lifesaver, all hero.

There's a legend in the Coast Guard, that only Coasties can truly understand. A hundred or more years ago, a sailing vessel went aground in a terrible gale. Throngs of bystanders watched helplessly as the huge waves pounded the ship to pieces. As all seemed lost, suddenly the crew from the nearby Coast Guard lifesaving station came running down the beach bearing their wooden surfboat with them.

The crew made ready to launch the surfboat into the raging sea. Several alarmed civilians approached the surfmen and told them that they would surely be killed if they launched into the storm. One grizzled Coast Guardsman replied, "Regulations say we have to go out, but nothing says we have to come back." That's the heart of the Coast Guard, and even though I never met him, I am sure that was the heart of our fallen brother too.

Thank God for Officer Kenneth Copeland, who did not shirk his duty in the face of death and danger. Who died like the protector we all strive to be. Rest in peace brother. Fair winds and following seas on your journey.

Semper Paratus - Always Ready.

Retired
United States Coast Guard

January 10, 2018

God’s blessings on this family in the coming days!

Pastor Pastor Donald Jackson
Airport Church, Tallahassee, FL.

December 31, 2017

Every morning I go to my knees. During that time I pray Psalm 91 over all LEO’s and this prayer also:

“Lord, Be with all law enforcement officers. Keep them safe and free from harm. They are Your soldiers on the front line of the battle against evil. If one should fall this day - wrap their family in your loving arms. Surround them with Your angels, loving family, friends, neighbors and caring people to comfort them. Ease their pain. Help them to mourn well. In Jesus' name and for Your Glory, Amen.”

Feel His presence as God answers the prayers of many who have fallen to their knees on your behalf. Since the day of my son's death, I have carried every law enforcement officer and their family in my heart.

I have lifted your family to God every morning for over six years. I pray that Kenneth's life and death will bring glory to His name.

Trust those prayers. God is with you; He knows and will ease your pain.

Our faith helps us to see beyond the grave.

Pamela Hotsinpiller
Mother of
Deputy United States Marshal
Derek W. Hotsinpiller
EOW 2-16-2011

December 30, 2017

R.I.P. BROTHER Copeland!!!!

Nebraska Police Officer

December 26, 2017

Thank you and your wife and your children. May you find peace. Also, the members of the San Marcos P.D., the community of San Marcos, and the US Coast Guard. Officer Copeland was still an active and much respected member of the US Coast Guard Law Enforcement Community.
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2017/12/11/slain-coast-guard-reservist-remembered-selfless.html

Lt. Carl Buick
USCG Retired

December 20, 2017

Thank you for your service. Rest in Heaven

Teresa Smith

December 19, 2017

Rest In Peace Sir

Correctional Officer J. Broadway
SCDC

December 19, 2017

My deepest sympathy to the family, friends, and coworkers of Officer Copeland. Thank you for your many years of law enforcement and for your service in the Coast Guard. Semper Paratus. Rest in Peace Brother.

Chief Deputy Steve Bennett
Iowa County (WI) Sheriff's Office

December 18, 2017

Rest in peace brother.

Investigator Stephen Trejo
Donna I.S.D. Police Dept. Tx

December 18, 2017

MY PRAYERS AND HEART GOES OUT TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS. HIS COURAGE, DEDICATION AND HONOR TO DUTY, PO COPELAND WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN IN MY HEART.

PO scott
CHICAGO POLICE OFFICER

December 17, 2017

Dearest Family, Brother and Sister Peace Officers of USA, Armed Forces of America and the many Friends of this wonderful Man.

I had the honor of serving with Kenneth in the USCG. There are no words to express to you all especially immediate family of your loss.

The Coast Guard has a set of Core Values we live by and whom ever wrote them had Officer Kenneth Copeland in mine.

HONOR, RESPECT, AND DEVOTION TO DUTY. He displayed them all including a whole lot of courage and compassion.

Kenny you will be dearly missed Amigo and the world is a lesser place without you.

FAIR WINDS AND FOLLOWING SEAS
RIP OUR BROTHER FOR WE GOT THE WATCH.

With Abiting Respect and Affection
Your Shipmate Chief Warrant Officer Tony Ochoa

Chief Warrant Officer Tony Ochoa
USCG

December 13, 2017

Rest In Peace Officer Kenneth Copeland, my Brother In Blue. I pray that our Abba Father God will wrap His loving arms around your family, your police family, and your friends to comfort them during this time of profound grief and sadness. I pray that our Lord Jesus will envelope each one with the special peace He promised to all of His children, and that He will dispatch protecting angels to your family, and to your blue family at the San Marcos Police Department, keeping each one safe from harm until you are all gathered together again in glory. Officer Copeland - thank you for your service, and for your ultimate sacrifice to keep your community safe . . . your life mattered, and you will never be forgotten - you are a hero!

Sergeant M. J. Frost (Retired)
Houston Police Department

December 12, 2017

RIP, prayers for family.

RON CROMER
Martin Co. Sheriff’s Office

December 12, 2017

Thank you for your service and sacrifice. Rest In Peace Officer Copeland. Our deepest heartfelt condolences to all of your family, friends, and brothers and sisters at San Marcos Police Department.

Postal Inspector Scott Horne
U.S. Postal Inspection Service

December 12, 2017