COPELAND PRAISED FOR WORK AS SHERIFF

At a dinner in his honor Thursday, retiring Cape Girardeau County Sheriff Norman Copeland was praised Thursday as a man of character and integrity, an example of professionalism, who restored public confidence in the sheriff's office.

"If there was ever a Norman Rockwell type patrolman, it was him," said Missouri Appeals Court Judge Stanley Grimm. "He was a model law enforcement officer."

Copeland announced last month that he would retire as sheriff after serving eight years. His resignation takes effect Monday.

A crowd of 250 people turned out to pay tribute to Copeland, who also served 30 years with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Among those in attendance was Col. Fred M. Mills, superintendent of the highway patrol.

Several different speakers offered accolades for Copeland, followed by presentations from nearly a dozen different law enforcement agencies. Remarks made into the Congressional Record by U.S. Rep. Bill Emerson, a Missouri Senate resolution, and letters from Sens. Christopher Bond and John Danforth were also presented.

Among the presentations made to Copeland was one by Dr. Pat Ruopp, who presented the Timothy J. Ruopp Award to the sheriff, named in honor of his brother who was killed in the line of duty as a police officer. The award is presented each year to the outstanding member of the Cape County Sheriff's Department.

There were several jokes about Copeland's career, particularly his ability to do his duties as a law enforcement officer without getting his shoes dirty.

Presiding Commissioner Gene Huckstep, a close friend for over 30 years, recalled how he helped convince Copeland to come out of retirement and serve as interim sheriff in March of 1986 when Dwight Thomas resigned.

"I will stand by past statements I have made, that he has been the best sheriff this county has ever had," Huckstep said.

Another Appeals Court Judge, Kenneth Shrum of Marble Hill, recalled the professionalism Copeland showed when he worked with him as county prosecutor. "He is the epitome of what I believe a law enforcement officer should be," said Shrum.

Presiding Circuit Judge Bill Syler recalled first meeting Copeland when Syler was an assistant prosecutor.

"Nobody every looked better on a witness stand as a highway patrolman than Norman Copeland," said Syler, who said his gray hair, neat uniform and warm smile made him a convincing witness to any jury.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Larry Ferrell said that while he worked as a county prosecutor, he viewed Copeland as a model officer. "When we thought about the Missouri State Highway Patrol, we thought of Norman Copeland," said Ferrell.

As sheriff, Ferrell said Copeland took immediate charge of an office in shambles and quickly restored public confidence.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Morley Swingle also praised Copeland as a model officer. "Norm is a man of the highest integrity and strongest character of anybody I have ever met," said Swingle.

Chief Deputy Leonard Hines, who will become interim sheriff Monday, presented framed badges and patches to Copeland. Speaking on behalf of the officers, Hines said: "It has been a privilege and honor to serve under Sheriff Copeland's command."

Agencies presenting awards to Copeland for his service included: the Cape Girardeau Police Department, U.S. Attorney's Office, U.S. Marshal's Service, Cape County Commission, U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Southeast Missouri State Police Department, Cape County Coroner John Carpenter, Missouri Division of Liquor Control, and the SEMO Drug Task Force.

Copeland said he was "overwhelmed" by the attention, and said his wife Wilma, and his two daughters were fortunate to have been able to live in Cape County.

"My family and I truly appreciate all of this friendship," said Copeland. "We are quite fortunate to have lived in this county the last 32 years. We consider it the finest place on earth."