An active investigation is underway after Smiths Station’s Mayor died by suicide, according to officials

Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones says the agency  received a welfare check request regarding Mayor Copeland around 4:15 P.M. central standard time.

Shortly thereafter, deputies observed his vehicle in the Beulah area of northeast Lee county and attempted to stop the vehicle.

“The Deputies pursued the vehicle at low speed to a point on Lee Road 275 near Lee Road 279 where the vehicle stopped at 4:34 P.M. central standard time,” Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones confirmed.

Mayor Copeland exited the vehicle, produced a handgun and took his life.

Mayor Copeland had been the Mayor of the east Alabama city since 2016, as well as owning his own store, and pastoring at First Baptist Church of Phenix City. Mayor Copeland had recently been under fire by 1819news.com, and the community after allegations surfaced.

This remains a developing story.