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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Carrol Copeland succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous evening after stopping a car that had been driven away from a gas station in Shamrock without paying for $3.20 of gas. Deputy Copeland stopped the vehicle 10 miles east of Shamrock on US 60. He spoke with the two occupants, and the driver refused to return to the gas station. The man pulled out a pistol and shot Deputy Copeland in the chest. Deputy Copeland was able to return fire and wounded the suspect. Both men fled to Oklahoma, where they were arrested a short time later. The vehicle was stolen, one of the suspects was AWOL from the U.S. Military, and the shooter was a member of street gang in California. In the vehicle, they found the murder weapon and several more guns. Both suspects stood trial for the murder. One suspect received two years in exchange for testifying against the actual murderer of Deputy Copeland. The murderer, a 17 year old street gang member, received a 99 year prison sentence. Deputy Copeland had served with the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office for only five months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three children, and a stepson he was planning to adopt.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Copeland served with the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Wheeler community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Copeland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wheeler County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Carrol is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Carrol is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Carrol is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1973, 19 officers in TX were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1973, 171 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1973, 188 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carrol was 35. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Carrol had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Carrol was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Carrol had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carrol was 35. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carrol had served 0.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.2% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Mondays: 13.3%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Wheeler County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 22.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Wheeler County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Carrol among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Wheeler County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
