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Incident
Sheriff Edward Coopman suffered a fatal heart attack while attempting to arrest a suspect who was creating a disturbance at Kunzer's Beach Resort in Oak Orchard. When Sheriff Coopman asked the subjects to quiet down, a scuffle ensued. Sheriff Coopman collapsed and could not be revived. He died at the scene at 2:30 a.m. The subject was arrested and charged with resisting an officer and disorderly conduct. He pleaded guilty in conjunction with charges of homicide by negligent operation of a car from a previous incident and was sentenced to two years. He received additional time for escaping from a work farm. Sheriff Coopman had served as sheriff with the Oconto County Sheriff's Department for over five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two sons, and a daughter.
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.
Sheriff Coopman gave the Oconto County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Oconto community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Coopman.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Edward is the only officer of Oconto County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
Edward is one of 23 officers lost to cardiac events in WI, 7.2% of the 318 remembered there.
Edward is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Edward is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1964, 1 officer in WI was lost to cardiac events, the 3rd heaviest of 21 years on record. The heaviest was 1963, with 2.
In 1964, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1964, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Edward was 59. Of the 22 lost to cardiac events in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 41 and 55.8; the middle age was 48.5. Edward had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 17.5 years.
Edward was 59. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Edward had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Edward was 59. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Edward had served 5.5 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
July holds 8.7% of these deaths in WI; May holds the most, 30.4%. Sundays: 8.7%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
July holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Oconto County Sheriff's Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 7.2% of all 318 deaths in WI, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 48-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Oconto County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.