The death of Smiths Station Mayor F.L. “Bubba” Copeland prompted an outpouring of condolences after the Phenix City pastor took his own life Friday evening in Lee County.

Cam Ward, director of Alabama Pardons and Paroles, called Copeland’s death “so incredibly sad.”

“We live in a society where many people are going through so much. Regardless of decisions we may disagree with we should always love our fellow man as the Bible teaches us. I know first hand,” Ward tweeted. “A lot of folks reading his story should look in the mirror.”

“We ask a lot of our public officials and elected leaders, and often, they fall short as they are, like all of us, human beings. However, Mayor Copeland was the backbone of Smiths Station,” Lee County Democratic Party Chairperson Jamie Lowe wrote.

“We condemn, in the strongest terms, the use of discriminatory and hateful rhetoric to target the personal lives of individuals – be they public or private citizens,” Lowe added. “The practice of demonizing each because of personal life choices must end because it has very real and life-altering consequences.”

Copeland’s death came days after a series of posts by 1819 News, a website that was once owned by the Alabama Policy Institute.

The posts included photos of Copeland, a husband and father of three, in women’s clothing and makeup.

Jeff Poor, editor-in-chief of 1819 News, did not comment on the criticism but sent this statement to AL.com:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Smiths Station, the parishioners of First Baptist Church of Phenix City and the victims and family of Mayor Copeland.”

Larry DiChiara, a Republican congressional candidate in east Alabama in 2016, said he offered support and encouragement to Copeland after the posts were published and was angry and heartbroken over Copeland’s death.

“I just want to ask you people who thought it humorous to publicly ridicule him, ‘Are you happy now?’ What crime did he commit? Some of you people make me sick. I hope you are really proud,” DiChiara said. “For our brother, F.L. Bubba Copeland May God bless your soul and forgive those who took pleasure in your suffering. They should all be ashamed!”

Copeland “took his own life” around 5 p.m. Friday, said Lee County Sheriff Jay Jones.

Sheriff’s deputies received a request for a welfare check for Copeland around 4:14 p.m. Friday, the office said later.

Copeland was found in Beulah when a slow pursuit was initiated with the mayor’s vehicle.

“He exited the vehicle, produced a handgun and took his own life,” the sheriff’s office said.

Leah Nelson, research director at Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, called Copeland’s death “devastating.”

“This man by the accounts I read was a good mayor who led his town through a terrible time,” Nelson tweeted. “Blowing up his private life, in this environment, was a cruel decision.”

People praised Copeland for his dedication to the community, including his work after a 2019 killed in 23 in Lee County, in social media posts throughout the night. Many expressed outrage at the events in the days leading up to his death.

“So tragic that you lived in a time where being yourself is a crime….Knowing we live in a world filled with such hateful humans is beyond me,” one person wrote.

Another person, who said they were a resident of Lee County, prayed for Copeland’s family while criticizing those that judged the mayor.

“Regardless of what he did or didn’t do, he was still a person. With feelings. I hope you never have to feel what he felt in those moments before he made that decision that he felt was necessary to escape this life. Prayers for this community that still have hearts, and prayers for the family of Bubba Copeland.”

“I rarely if ever post, but Bubba Copeland was a childhood friend. He didn’t deserve the public shaming he received. None of us are perfect,” another post read. “His life didn’t have to end this way.”

A man who said he was a member of the church wrote: “Thank you, Bubba, for loving me as I am, for believing in me at moments when I didn’t believe in myself. Thank you for being willing to get a little mud on your hands and helping me out of the ditch more than a few times. You will forever hold a special place in my heart.”

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24–hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available 24 hours.