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Incident
Officer Copeland was shot and killed when he and his partner responded to a report of a domestic disturbance. When they arrived on the scene they encountered a man holding a shotgun. Officer Copeland rolled down his window and told the man that he was a good man and that he wanted to talk to him. The suspect lowered the shotgun. When he heard the police radio report that backup was on its way he raised the gun again and opened fire, killing Officer Copeland and seriously wounding his partner. The suspect was apprehended by a state trooper near Blackshear after a chase that reached 100 miles per hour at times. On May 24, 1956, the suspect, 35, was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison. Officer Copeland had been with the agency for 21 years.
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22 years. You could have gone home.
Officer Copeland gave the Brunswick Police Department 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Brunswick community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Copeland.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brunswick Police Department has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Herbert is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Herbert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Herbert 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 1956, 1 officer at Brunswick Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1956, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1956, 47 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 141st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1956, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Herbert was 54. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Brunswick Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.8 and 39; the middle age was 33. Herbert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 0.3 years.
Herbert was 54. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Herbert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 54. 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. Herbert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Herbert was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Herbert had served 22 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 33.3% of these deaths at Brunswick Police Department, more than any other month. Sundays: 33.3%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 16.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Brunswick Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 8.6% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Brunswick Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Herbert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Brunswick Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
