Police Officer James W. Bennett, Jr.

James W. Bennett, Jr.

Police Officer James Bennett and Police Officer George Copeland were struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic around a crash scene around 12:52 a.m.

Officer Copeland and Officer Bennett were at Interstate 35 south of Nogalitos Street, directing traffic and setting up flares around the disabled vehicles. They were behind their patrol car, with emergency lights flashing, retrieving more flares when a vehicle struck them. They were hit with enough force that the vehicle burst into flames, careened down the embankment, and threw the officers over 100 feet.

Other officers at the scene were able to put out the fire. Officer Bennett was transported to Baptist Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased. Officer Copeland was transported to the Brooke Army Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds that afternoon.

Officer Bennett had served with the San Antonio Police Department for over two years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, and parents.