Deputy James Holmes and Deputy James Copeland were shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man wanted for murder.

On January 22, 1866, Deputies Holmes and Copeland responded to a house in Pleasant Hill to arrest notorious bushwhacker on a murder indictment. Deputy Holmes read the warrant to the suspect and as he finished the suspect fired his weapon killing Deputy Holmes. Deputy Copeland returned fire, shooting the suspect, who then shot Deputy Copeland in the chest, striking him in the lung. Deputy Copeland was able to return fire once more striking the suspect in the leg. The suspect fled with Deputy Copeland's younger brother among the pursuers. The suspect was wounded once more in the chest during the pursuit. The suspect was apprehended the next day. As he was brought into town in a wagon, one of Copeland's brothers who had been accompanying the party rode up and said, "Here my brother died, here you die" and shot him twice in the head, killing the suspect. The suspect, Bill Reynolds, was reputed to be one of the last remaining Quantrill's raiders in the area and that he had taunted lawmen believing that none would attempt to arrest him.

Deputy Holmes was interred at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Deputy Copeland was survived by his parents,James and Ethalinda Copeland, and siblings, James, Levi, Silas, Allen, and Martha. Interred at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

Article by Brent Marchant