Officer Ryan P. Copeland, 33, of Janesville, died while on duty on 11/23/15 around noon time in a vehicle accident in the Town of Albion, Wisconsin when a pick-up truck driven by Colleen M. Sutheimer, 25, of Fitchburg, crossed the center line and hit the squad car head-on with Copeland on County Road N in southeastern Dane County, just north of Edgerton. Officer Copeland was just starting his shift when the crash occurred. Copeland died at the scene. A medical helicopter was called to the scene but was canceled. Both drivers were wearing their seat belt and that Copeland’s air bag had deployed during the accident. Sutheimer is a Wildlife Biologist at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources employee who was driving a Ford F250 pic k-up truck belonging to the Wisconsin DNR. She had been picking up deer specimens during the 10-day gun deer season when the accident took place. Sutheimer was transported to St. Mary’s Hospital in Janesville with minor injuries. Copeland worked exclusively with the department’s K9 Boris, a German shepherd, since October 2014. K9 Boris was not in the vehicle at the time of the crash and was en route to pick up the dog at a kennel after just coming back from a vacation hunting deer when the crash happened. Photographs and videos from the scene show the hilly stretch of road with snow and ice covering parts of it. It’s not clear if the condition the road was a factor. Officials said that Sutheimer was not impaired, speeding or on the phone at the time of the accident. Copeland graduated from Blackhawk Technical College’s Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy. Copeland was McFarland Police Department’s first K9 officer. From January 2003 to March 2005, Copeland was with the Army. From March 2005 to December 2012, he was a weapons sergeant with the Green Beret and also served as a special forces sniper. He did two tours of duty in Iraq. As an extension of his Army work during the decade, he learned to speak fluent Indonesian. Copeland served 10 years active duty in the United States Army with the Special Forces, Green Beret and sniper. While working as a McFarland police officer, Copeland earned his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Excelsior College’s online program in 2015. Ryan is survived by his wife, Amanda Richter Copeland of over ten years: In lieu of flowers, memorials would be greatly appreciated if they were made to: McFarland State Bank, 5990 US Hwy 51, McFarland, WI, 53558, in memory of Ryan Copeland.
Colleen M. Sutheimer blood test were negative and an investrigation estimated her speed between 55-60 MPH.and she was not charged. Accident was due to slushy road conditions.
