Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Jim Spencer was shot and killed in Jackson, Kentucky, after ejecting three brothers from a restaurant for acting disorderly.
After ejecting them he was called to another restaurant where he ejected them again. As Constable Spencer struck up a conversation with some of the patrons the three entered and one shot him in the head.
All three brothers, 18, 22, and 24, were arrested and charged with murder. Charges were dropped against one. The gunman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Two years later his sentence was commuted to 10 years. The third suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled on June 24, 1931.
Constable Spencer was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.
Constable Spencer's brother, Constable Henry Spencer, succeeded him in office and was shot and mortally in the line of duty wounded on October 29th, 1927. Constable Henry Spencer died from his wounds on November 2nd, 1927.
Survivors
Constable Spencer was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-231D5605- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew James. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Constable Spencer served with the Breathitt County Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Jackson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Spencer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable James Spencer is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Breathitt County Constable's Office, 5 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Spencer's cause is highlighted.
How James Spencer Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Spencer is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Spencer was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Breathitt County Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.
