William L. Copeland (1846 - December 30, 1885) was an American police officer, government official, and state legislator in Arkansas.
On March 7, 1865, at the end of the American Civil War, he joined Company C, 2nd Ohio Cavalry Regiment, of the Union Army.
At the end of the war, he returned to Oberlin College, where he studied from 1867–69.
[7] Copeland may have been the first Little Rock police officer killed in the line of duty.
Copeland was killed after being assaulted by a jail trusty who was on work release.