Officer George E. Copeland III

Officer George E. Copeland III
San Antonio Police Department, TX
Born: July 23, 1947
Cause of Death: Struck by vehicle
End of Watch: Saturday, September 13, 1975
Date of Incident: Saturday, September 13, 1975
Age: 28
Badge Number: 543
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Suspect Info: Louis Domingo Vasquez; charged with Involuntary Manslaughter and Aggravated Assault
Weapon Used: Vehicle
Buried: Holy Cross Cemetery
Location of Name on National and Texas Monuments
NLEOMF: P61 - W7
TPOM: 33, C, 05

Officer George Copeland III and Officer James Bennett Jr. were directing traffic around an accident at 12:52 am, on IH 35 just south of Nogalitos. Officer Copeland was asked to get more flares to place around the accident ahead. Officer Copeland and Officer Bennett were reaching for the additional flares behind Officer Copeland's patrol unit, which had its emergency lights initiated and flares around it. They were struck from behind while standing by their patrol car by Vasquez's vehicle which was traveling at a high rate of speed. Officer Copeland's patrol unit burst into flames as both officers were tossed over 100 feet. Both Officers died from massive bodily injuries and severe burns.

Officer Copeland was survived by his wife, 2 sons, parents and 2 sisters. Officer Copeland was born in Coris, Maine and joined San Antonio Police in 1968.San Antonio Light and San Antonio Express News