Roll of Honor
Kenneth Malcolm Copeland
Incident
Police Officer Ken Copeland was shot and killed while he and other officers attempted to serve a warrant in the El Camino Real neighborhood on a man wanted for a crime of violence.
The officers were ambushed at the man's home on Cottonwood Parkway, near Capistrano Drive. Officer Copeland, who was wearing a vest, was struck multiple times. He was transported in a patrol car to Central Texas Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds.
The subject who shot him surrendered following a brief standoff with members of the regional SWAT team. He was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Officer Copeland was working an overtime shift on the day he was slain.
Officer Copeland was a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and had served with the San Marcos Police Department for 19 years. His death marks the first time in the department’s history an officer was killed in the line of duty, according to the city’s police chief.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-2F66F0FB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Police Officer Copeland gave the San Marcos Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the San Marcos community. Thank you 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
Kenneth Malcolm Copeland served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Kenneth Malcolm Copeland is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At San Marcos Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Kenneth Malcolm Copeland's cause is highlighted.
How Kenneth Malcolm Copeland Compares
Offender Outcome
Life without parole
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Kenneth Malcolm Copeland is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Kenneth Malcolm Copeland was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from San Marcos Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
