The community of Smiths Station, Alabama, is trying to come to terms with the death of Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland on November 3, 2023, after the Lee County sheriff’s department deemed it a suicide.
Mayor Copeland, who served the dual role of a pastor at the First Baptist Church of Phenix City, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The incident unfolded shortly after a conservative news website published humiliating details about his personal life. An autopsy to explore the precise circumstances of his death has been arranged by the Lee County coroner.
The news of Mayor Copeland’s death was a blow to the citizens he led. It came just after 1819 News released photos they claimed showed Copeland dressed in drag, with make-up, assuming the alias “Brittini Blaire Summerlin.” These images and the associated coverage prompted a significant backlash and lively public discourse.
Following the explosive revelations, Copeland addressed his church, apologizing for the unwanted attention brought upon them while reinforcing his dedication to his roles as both a pastor and a mayor.
Former U.S. Senator Doug Jones was among those who commented on the events, criticizing the severe media scrutiny Copeland experienced. Jones looked back nostalgically on times he worked with Copeland, like during the tornado disaster relief efforts in 2019 that involved coordination with the Trump administration.
Smiths Station, a close-knit community with an estimated population of 5,384 as per the 2020 census, is situated in Lee County, not far from Columbus, Georgia, and Phenix City, Alabama. The weight of Mayor Copeland’s death is being keenly felt across this tight-knit town.
In response to the tragedy, the First Baptist Church of Phenix City has expressed gratitude for the support and prayers from the wider community. The entire town is mourning a figure who was deeply embedded in the fabric of their daily lives.
A welfare check by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, prompted by concerns over Copeland’s well-being, led to them trailing him in his car. He stopped his car, pulled out a handgun and shot himself in front of the police.
Prior to his death, Copeland had explained to the 1819 News reporter that his online alter ego was a work of fiction, an outlet for stress relief, not a statement of identity.
