La. Deputy, Police Officer Dies after Motorcycle Chase

A Louisiana sheriff's deputy and part-time police officer died following a traffic chase earlier this week.

Webster Parish Sheriff's Deputy Trey Copeland, who was working in his role with the Cotton Valley Police Department, had been part of a motorcycle pursuit shortly before 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, just south of Sarepta, KTBS-TV reports. Once the chase was over and the suspect was in custody, Copeland told colleagues he wasn't feeling well. 

Copeland then was taken to the hospital, where he later was pronounced dead. A cause of death was not given at the time, but the Officer Down Memorial Page stated he suffered a heart attack.

For the past 15 years, Copeland, 47, had served as a full-time correctional officer with the Webster Parish Sheriff's Office, according to the ODMP. Sheriff Jason Parker told KTBS Copeland had been with the Cotton Valley Police Department for about a year. He also was a Navy veteran.

Copeland is survived by his wife and two children.