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Incident
K9 Officer Ryan Copeland was killed in a vehicle collision on County Highway N, near Bublitz Road in the town of Albion, at approximately 12:30 pm.
He was just beginning his shift and was traveling westbound when a Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources pickup truck crossed the center line and struck his patrol car head-on. Officer Copeland succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
It is believed that the DNR vehicle went out of control due to slushy conditions during a period of snow.
Officer Copeland was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the McFarland Police Department for three years.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- September 9, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Ryan is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
K9 Officer Copeland gave the McFarland Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the McFarland community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Ryan Patrick Copeland served in the U.S. Army (2003â2012) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Ryan is the only officer of McFarland Police Department remembered here.
Ryan is one of 125 officers lost to accidents in WI, 39.3% of the 318 remembered there.
Ryan is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ryan is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2015, 1 officer in WI was lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 5.
In 2015, 53 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 88th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2015, 55 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 95th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Ryan was 33. Of the 101 lost to accidents in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 45; the middle age was 34. Ryan had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Ryan was 33. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Ryan had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Ryan was 33. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Ryan had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 12.8% of these deaths in WI; July holds the most, 16.8%. Mondays: 10.4%.
November holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.4%.
November holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at McFarland Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 39.3% of all 318 deaths in WI, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Ryan Patrick Copeland served in the U.S. Army (2003–2012) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Ryan Patrick Copeland’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 55-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from McFarland Police Department are honored on badge.nw.