Stewart Thomas Mettz, 57, received a life sentence without the possibility of parole for the 2017 capital murder of San Marcos police officer Kenneth Copeland, FOX San Antonio reports. The sentence, delivered on Jan. 11, closes a somber chapter for the victim's family, the San Marcos Police Department, and the community at large.
According to the prosecution, Mettz fatally shot Copeland, 58, on Dec. 4, 2017, when the officer, in uniform, was serving him a warrant related to charges of assault causing bodily injury of a family member, and injury to an elderly person. Mettz opened fire immediately after Copeland knocked on his door, resulting in the officer's death. Copeland was not only a dedicated police officer but also a military veteran and a father to four sons, AOL reports.
The San Marcos Police Department issued a statement on the verdict and sentencing, which was shared by AOL: "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."
Assistant City Manager Chase Stapp, the Chief of Police at the time of the murder, told FOX San Antonio, "Ken Copeland was a shining example of what it means to be a public servant in San Marcos. His demeanor and approach to his work set the example for so many and, the day he was taken from us was one of the darkest in our City’s history." Copeland, who joined the force in 1998, held the sorrowful distinction of being the first officer in the department to be killed in the line of duty.
Sgt. Matt Daenzer, reflecting on his fallen colleague, emphasized Copeland's exceptional character. "I am beyond relieved that justice has been served," Daenzer told FOX San Antonio. "Officer Copeland was the epitome of what an officer should be and, I’m glad he and his family can now rest a little easier knowing that his killer has faced justice." Copeland, known for his kindness and the cooler of Topo Chico mineral water he kept in his patrol car, left a deep imprint on those he served with.
As the legal process concludes, the San Marcos Police Department extends its thanks to the Hays County District Attorney’s Office for their dedication in seeing the case through to its resolution, ensuring that Mettz will not have the opportunity for parole, thus marking an end to a prolonged period of pain and uncertainty.
