Author: detectivepros

Ken Copeland was born and raised in Warrenton NC. He graduated from Warren County High School in 1988. Prior to joining the Raleigh Police Department he proudly served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1992. After an honorable discharge (while working for the Department of Corrections) he completed his Associate Degree in Criminal Justice from Nash Community College. In August of 1994 he became a member of the 63rd Raleigh Police Academy. In 1997 he earned the Outstanding Service Award from the Police Benevolent Association for his actions during a critical incident. This allowed him to serve as a member of the Critical Incident Debriefing Team to help fellow officers dealing with surviving a critical incident. In December 1999, he was promoted to Detective and served in the Commercial Burglary Unit. In 2003, he was transferred to the Newly formed Special Victims Unit. Here he investigated Stranger Rapes and Child Sex crimes. In 2004 he was transferred to the Homicide Unit where he served as a Homicide Detective until 2010. During these years, he received several recognitions, including an Investigative Unit Commendation and a COMPSTAT Commendation. He has been praised for his personable approach to witnesses, his rigorous pursuit of the truth, and his tireless dedication to the community. He is probably most remembered for his dedication and tenacity during the investigation of the murder of Stephanie Renee Bennett. She was brutally murdered in her North Raleigh Apartment in 2002. This case was featured on several true-crime television programs such as Forensic Files, Investigation Discovery and the Oxygen Chanel. The case was also the subject of a book entitled “Evil Next Door.” He was promoted to Sergeant in 2010 and assigned to supervise a patrol squad in the North District. In 2011, he received the Distinguished Service Medal. He was also the recipient of the Meritorious Unit Citation for his work along side his fellow Homicide Unit for there successful conclusion and the eventual arrest of a suspect in a high profile murder of a North Carolina State Board of Education member. In 2012 he transferred back to the Detective Division, supervising the Burglary and Robbery Units. In 2014 he was transferred back to Homicide the Unit as one of the Homicide Unit Supervisors. In 2016 he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as a Patrol Lieutenant until his retirement in 2017. During his career he has received special training in such areas as: Cold Case Investigative Techniques, Identifying Unidentifiable Human Remains, Numerous Interview and Interrogation Techniques, and Crime Scene Interpretation. He has presented cases for Violent Crime Apprehension Program (VICAP) in Quantico Virginia and North Carolina Homicide Conference. Ken Copeland has a special knack for reviewing cold cases, separating fact from fiction and finding that potential “needle in a haystack.” While investigating homicide cases he was given the nickname “Garbage Man” for his ability not to leave any stone unturned. Ken Copeland takes an “Old School” approach to homicide investigations. He has a special interest in getting victims’ families answers and helping fellow law enforcement agencies clear unsolved murders or cold cases. He believes in order to utilize new technology and investigative techniques you first master basic personal and investigative skills. Ken Copeland is known for a quote expressed during an interview that exemplifies his belief in good detective work. “”THIS IS WHERE OLD FASHION POLICE WORK MEETS MODERN SCIENCE.”