Copperas Cove officer honored with full police funeral in Belton

The Copperas Cove Police Department confirmed funeral arrangements for Officer Elijah Garretson, holding a service with full police honors on Saturday, January 17 at 10:00 a.m. at the Cadence Bank Center, Garth Arena in Belton. The department said the ceremony was intended to honor his life, service, and sacrifice and expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support shown to Garretson’s family and the department.

The funeral drew law enforcement personnel and community members from across Coryell County and surrounding jurisdictions, underscoring the regional ties among local agencies. The department indicated that media instructions, including details on access, staging, and on-site expectations, would be provided in a follow-up release. Media inquiries are handled by Kevin Keller, Public Relations Director, and Anna Rodriguez, Public Relations Specialist, at publicrelations@copperascovetx.gov.

Line-of-duty deaths carry immediate practical impacts for smaller departments like Copperas Cove’s. Beyond the personal loss to colleagues and family, these events can strain staffing as officers attend memorials and provide mutual aid. They also tend to mobilize community support networks and prompt officials to review protocols related to officer safety, post-incident care, and survivor benefits. Residents should expect strengthened cooperation among area agencies in the near term as the department continues routine operations while supporting Garretson’s family and colleagues.

For local civic leaders and voters, such moments often crystallize conversations about public safety resources, funding for officer wellness programs, and the adequacy of benefits for families of fallen first responders. While this announcement focuses on funeral arrangements, broader policy questions typically follow: whether staffing levels and training sufficiently mitigate risks, and whether municipal budgets prioritize preventative measures and family support after a line-of-duty death.

The Copperas Cove Police Department asked the public to respect the family’s privacy as they grieve and thanked the community for support during the difficult period. Officials coordinating the service used Belton’s Cadence Bank Center to accommodate attendees, reflecting regional capacity needs for memorials of this scale.

As the community processes this loss, expect municipal and county officials to engage with the department on short-term operational needs and potential longer-term policy responses. Residents seeking official information or media access should contact the public relations office at publicrelations@copperascovetx.gov for updates and further instructions.