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Samuel H. Coppedge
Incident
Detective Sergeant Samuel Coppedge and Detective Frank Wodley 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. Ten men were convicted of killing Sergeant Samuel Coppedge and sentenced to 14 years. Detective Coppedge had served with the East St. Louis Police Department for at least seven years. He was survived by his wife and son. He is buried at Saint James Cemetery in Saint James, Missouri.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Sergeant Coppedge gave the East St. Louis Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the East St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Sergeant Coppedge.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
East St. Louis Police Department has lost 22 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
Samuel is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Samuel is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1917, 2 officers at East St. Louis Police Department were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 13 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 3.
In 1917, 18 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1917, 165 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1917, 169 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Samuel was 45. Of the 17 killed feloniously at East St. Louis Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45; the middle age was 43. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Samuel was 45. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 45. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Samuel was 45. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Samuel had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at East St. Louis Police Department; February holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 33.3%.
July holds 10.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 22 deaths at East St. Louis Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 44.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
East St. Louis Police Department has 22 officers remembered here, Samuel among them.
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Thomas Reedy May 5, 1903
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Patrick Gill
Sep 6, 1908
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James J. Arnold
Feb 11, 1913
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Marion League
Feb 27, 1916
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James P. Madden Aug 5, 1916
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Henderson D. Trafton
Nov 18, 1916
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Samuel H. Coppedge Jul 1, 1917
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Franklin J. Wodley
Jul 3, 1917
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Robert Roy Aldridge Jan 11, 1919
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James O'Brien
Apr 1, 1919
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Perry V. Frost Nov 14, 1920
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Joseph B. Friesz Feb 24, 1924
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Henry Bodendieck Apr 5, 1924
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David A. Moehler
Apr 18, 1925
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Clare A. Fletcher
Jun 16, 1940
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Earl V. Anderson Mar 25, 1951
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Norvell Ray
Jan 25, 1958
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Charles E. Lewis
Mar 16, 1962
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Fredrick D. Hudson
Jul 29, 1966
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Kenneth Joseph McCoy
Jun 7, 1973
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Manuel Farmer, III
May 25, 1975
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Robert B. Broshears
Jun 23, 1977
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
Others Who Wore This Badge
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