[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 162 (2016), Part 2]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 2145]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




RECOGNIZING MAJOR MICHAEL F. COPELAND OF THE FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF'S 
                OFFICE FOR 49 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE

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                        HON. BLAINE LUETKEMEYER

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 24, 2016

  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a constituent of 
mine, Major Michael F. Copeland. He is retiring from the Franklin 
County Sheriff's Office after 49 years of dedicated service.
  Major Copeland began his service in the Franklin County Sheriff's 
Office during his high school years. He graduated from Union High 
School in 1969 and continued dispatching through his college years. 
Major Copeland graduated from Meramec Community College with an 
Associate of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice in 1971. Major Copeland 
was the first civilian dispatcher in Franklin County. In 1997, he was a 
National Academy graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
  The leadership and commitment Major Copeland has shown throughout the 
years is evident by the positions he has held. From 1971 to present, he 
has served as Deputy Sheriff (Detective Sgt.--1975, Captain--1981, and 
Major/Chief Deputy--1989). In 1975, Major Copeland, was the first K-9 
handler, his partner was ``Smokey'', for the Franklin County Sheriff's 
Office.
  Major Copeland is a member of the St. Louis Major Case Investigations 
Squad and was the Lead Investigator starting in 1975 to 1983. He also 
served as a Death Investigator with the St. Louis County Medical 
Examiner's Office from 1993 to 2015. Major Copeland led the Missouri 
Deputy Sheriff's Association as its President starting in 2000 until 
2002. Starting in 1975, he was the Coordinator for the Franklin County 
Law Enforcement Training Center and completed that position in 1983. 
During the years 1988 thru 1999, Major Copeland was the leader of the 
Franklin County ``Emergency Response Team''. In addition to the 
numerous positions he has held--since 1971, Major Copeland has worked 
on every major case and homicide case in Franklin County.
  With this retirement, Major Michael F. Copeland can now spend more 
time with his family which includes: his wife Laura, son Jon, and his 
daughter Tamara.
  I ask you to join me in recognizing Major Michael F. Copeland on his 
retirement of 49 years of service to his community.




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