More than six years after the line-of-duty death of San Marcos Police Officer Kenneth Copeland, the man responsible for his murder has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Stewart Mettz, 57, was convicted of capital murder in the case that rattled the tight-knit Texas community back in 2017, reported by KVUE.
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On December 4, 2017, Copeland was attempting to serve an arrest warrant at Mettz's residence when he was fatally shot, becoming the first San Marcos officer to be killed in the line of duty. He was a revered public servant, often noted for his generosity such as the cooler of Topo Chico mineral water he kept to hand out during his patrols. Recollections of his warm, inviting nature were made by various colleagues and members of the community during a memorial held in 2018, according to KVUE.
Throughout the community and his department, Copeland is remembered fondly. Sergeant Matt Daenzer relayed his feelings saying, "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." Hays County officials and law enforcement were also praised for their diligence and effort in securing the conviction against Mettz, as stated in KVUE.
