Owner Bio

Ken Copeland, retired Lieutenant from Raleigh Police Department, served the citizens of Raleigh, NC for 23 years.  Copeland was born and raised in Warrenton, NC.  He graduated from Warren County High School. He proudly entered the United States Marine Corps, serving from 1988 to 1992, completing service to this great country with an honorable discharge.

In August of 1994, Copeland became a member of the 63rd Raleigh Police Academy.  In recognition of his outstanding dedication and hard work, he earned the Outstanding Service Award from the Police Benevolent Association for his actions during a critical incident in 1997.  Due to his distinguished actions during the critical incident, he was asked to assist in the Raleigh Police Department development and implementation of the Critical Incident Debriefing Team. An important component to assisting fellow officers dealing with surviving a critical incident. Copeland acted as a leader of the Team from his initiation until his retirement (1997-2017).

He began as a patrol officer.   In 1999 he was promoted to Detective.  He served in the Commercial Burglary Unit, until he was asked to move to the newly formed Special Victims Unit in 2003.

Copeland realized his greatest passion in 2004, when he transferred to the Homicide Unit where he proudly served as a Homicide Detective until 2010.  During his time in the Homicide Unit, he was involved with over 150 homicide cases.  While, 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.

Copeland is 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.”

Copeland was promoted to Sergeant in 2010 and assigned to supervise a patrol squad in the North District. In 2014, Copeland returned to the Detective Division, supervising the Burglary and Robbery Units.  Subsequently, he found himself again where he served 6 diligent years, as a Homicide Sergeant.

In 2016 he was promoted to Lieutenant and served as a Patrol Lieutenant until his retirement in 2017.

During Copeland’s distinguished 23-year career he received special training in such areas as:  Cold Case Investigative Techniques, Identifying Unidentifiable Human Remains, Numerous Interview and Interrogation Techniques, and Crime Scene Interpretation.  In addition, to receiving special training, he performed as a presenter for Violent Crime Apprehension Program (VICAP) in Quantico Virginia and North Carolina Homicide Conference.

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.

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.”