In the summer of 2019, the life of 31-year-old Richard Alex Watkins was abruptly cut short in his hometown of Wabash, Indiana. On the late evening of July 15th, a loud noise, later determined to be a gunshot, echoed in the 200 block of East Main Street. Responding to the sound, law enforcement discovered Watkins near the street, having sustained a fatal gunshot wound to his chest.
The investigation into the death of the Wabash native, a man remembered for his love of sports and his recent joy in coaching his son's t-ball team, soon began to unfold. Initially, details were scarce, leaving a void of information for a grieving family and a concerned community. The Wabash County Coroner's office officially declared his death a homicide by firearm, confirming the violent nature of his passing. Investigators found shell casings near the scene, indicating Watkins had been shot outside a residence.
As the investigation progressed, a suspect emerged. Jerry Copeland, a 42-year-old man also from Wabash, was taken into custody on unrelated drug charges the day after Watkins' death. By August 26, 2019, the focus of the investigation had solidified, and Copeland was formally charged with the murder of Richard Alex Watkins.
The legal process moved forward, culminating in a significant development nearly two years after the fatal shooting. On June 25, 2021, Jerry Copeland appeared in court and pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of voluntary manslaughter, a level 2 felony. As a result of his plea, he was sentenced to 30 years in prison, bringing a measure of legal closure to the tragic and untimely death of Richard Alex Watkins.
