Dennis Franklin Spinnett

Thomasville Police Department — Thomasville, NC

Felonious

End of Watch January 8, 1977

Age 28

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

The Vigil Panel 118 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 7

Incident

Patrolman Spinnett and Patrolman Robert Crawford were shot and killed after responding to a disturbance call on Douglas Drive at 2250 hours. When the officers arrived they encountered two men in the front lawn. When they followed the men inside a struggle ensued and one of the suspects gained control of Patrolman Crawford's service weapon. The suspect shot Patrolman Crawford in the throat. Patrolman Spinnett was able to return fire but was struck in the head. Both suspects were apprehended the same day. The suspect who shot the two officers was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life terms on May 11, 1977. He died in prison on March 14, 1995. The other suspect was convicted of being an accessory after the fact of murder and sentenced to 10 years in prison on May 12, 1977. He was parolled on January 21, 1981. A few months later he was killed in Stanly County during an altercation over a poker game.

Survivors

Patrolman Spinnett had been with the agency for three years and was survived by his parents, brother, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NC-6523EA00
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.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Spinnett gave the Thomasville Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Thomasville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spinnett.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Thomasville Police Department

Location Thomasville, NC

Platform Identity tpd.davidson.nc.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 8, 1977

Tour of Duty 3 yrs

Age 28

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender died in prison

Patrolman Dennis Franklin Spinnett 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 NC, 385 of 664 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 58% of this state's fallen. That is 3.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Thomasville Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.

Thomasville Police Department

of 8 officers

62.5% Felonious

NC — Statewide

385

of 664 officers

58% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious