Edward Eugene “Sonny” Copeland Jr.

How they died

Deadly force

Officers John Teague and Jeff Murray stopped a pickup after suspecting the driver was driving under the influence. They found marijuana in the shoe of one of the occupants, police said. Copeland responded angrily when the officers asked the truck's driver if they could search the other and fled. The officers chased Copeland a short distance before Copeland turned around and pulled a gun from his belt. When Copeland pointed the gun, one officer shot him. When Copeland got up from the ground and pointed the gun again, Teague and Murray shot him four more times.

Why we remember them

This record exists so that Edward Eugene “Sonny” Copeland Jr., and all who are named in this archive, are never reduced to a number.

References & sources