Incident
Deputy Cope was killed when his patrol car was struck by a train at the Sugarhouse Road crossing in Alexandria. The train, estimated to be traveling at 70 mph, struck the driver's side of Deputy Cope's patrol car. Deputy Cope was en route to serve a warrant for writing worthless checks at the time of the accident. Deputy Cope had served with the agency for 22 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Sheriff Cope gave the Rapides Parish Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Alexandria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Cope.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department has lost 7 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Lason is one of 180 officers lost to accidents in LA, 30.3% of the 595 remembered there.
Lason is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lason is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1966, 4 officers in LA were lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 94 years on record. The heaviest was 1999, with 8.
In 1966, 77 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 31st heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1966, 95 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Lason was 62. Of the 148 lost to accidents in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Lason had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Lason was 62. 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. Lason had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lason was 62. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Lason had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 7.2% of these deaths in LA; April holds the most, 11.1%. Saturdays: 13.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 14.3% of all 7 deaths at Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30.3% of all 595 deaths in LA, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department has 7 officers remembered here, Lason among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Rapides Parish Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.




