The following is a statement issued by the San Marcos Police Department following the life sentence served to Stewart Mettz, who was convicted this week of murder after killing SMPD Officer Kenneth Copeland in 2017.
Today, justice was served, not only for fallen Officer Kenneth Copeland, but also for the entire San Marcos Police Department, Officer Copeland’s family, and the community he served. While this verdict may not change the tragic loss we suffered on December 4, 2017, we are thankful for the Capital Murder conviction of Stewart Mettz, who received a sentence of life without parole.
Officer Kenneth Copeland joined the San Marcos Police Department on March 30, 1998, and was the first San Marcos officer to be killed in the line of duty. At the time of his death, Copeland was still serving as an active reservist with the United States Coast Guard Reserve stationed in Corpus Christi.
