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Incident
Patrolman Joe Spiers was shot and killed by a female prisoner he and another officer were transporting to jail. The prisoner had been arrested by the other officer that morning for drunk driving. Officer Spiers had responded to the scene to drive to the subject's car to the police station. After administering field sobriety tests at the station they began to transport the woman to jail. Approximately one block from the station the officer driving the car looked back and observed the woman holding a pistol. The woman had been handcuffed in the front because of her large size and was able to conceal the weapon on her person while being arrested. She shot Patrolman Spiers, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, in the head. After a brief struggle the woman was subdued. Patrolman Spiers was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wounds during surgery later that evening. The subject plead guilty to murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Patrolman Spiers was a U.S. Navy veteran and had been awarded two Purple Heart medals during a tour in Vietnam.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife, mother, two sisters, and four brothers.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Joe is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Spiers gave the Gulfport Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Gulfport community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joe Douglas Spiers served in the U.S. Navy (1968â1969) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Gulfport Police Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Joe is one of 243 officers killed feloniously in MS, 69.4% of the 350 remembered there.
Joe is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joe is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1971, 1 officer at Gulfport Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1971, 2 officers in MS were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1981, with 6.
In 1971, 168 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 18th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1971, 181 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joe was 23. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Gulfport Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 33.3 and 41.5; the middle age was 35.5. Joe had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Joe was 23. Of the 222 killed feloniously in MS whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 53; the middle age was 41. Joe had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Joe was 23. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joe was 23. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joe had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 16.7% of these deaths at Gulfport Police Department; January holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 16.7%.
November holds 6.2% of these deaths in MS; December holds the most, 12.3%. Sundays: 14.4%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Gulfport Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.4% of all 350 deaths in MS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 16% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Gulfport Police Department has 8 officers remembered here, Joe among them.
Military Service
Joe Douglas Spiers served in the U.S. Navy (1968–1969) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joe Douglas Spiers’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Gulfport Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
