Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief Bobby Spencer was shot and killed from ambush while walking into the police department building at approximately 4:45 am before ending his shift.
His body was found by two officers a short time later who initially presumed he had suffered from a heart attack.
No suspects or motives for his murder have ever been determined, and the case remains open.
Chief Spencer was a United States Korean War Air Force veteran and had served as the Chief of Police for the Shannon Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, and granddaughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-79A99F0A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Bobby. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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.
Chief of Police Spencer gave the Shannon Police Department 23 years.
Thank you for your service to the Shannon community. Thank you 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
Bobby Gene Spencer served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Chief of Police Bobby Gene Spencer is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In MS, 242 of 349 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.3% of this state's fallen. That is 15.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Bobby Gene Spencer's cause is highlighted.
How Bobby Gene Spencer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Bobby Gene Spencer is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.