Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Spillman was stabbed to death while escorting a prisoner to the man's home so he could get clothing. The man had been arrested the previous day and declared insane. While at the man's home Deputy Spillman took inventory of several firearms in a trunk. As they left the man said he needed to get something else from inside. Before Deputy Spillman could object the man ran back inside and grabbed a gun and knife. He fired at Deputy Spillman but missed and then stabbed him to death. The suspect was committed at the state insane asylum at Ossawatomie.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KS-5D814732- 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
145 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Spillman served with the Lyon County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Emporia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff James A. Spillman 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 KS, 237 of 335 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.7% of this state's fallen. That is 16.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lyon County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 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 A. Spillman's cause is highlighted.
How James A. Spillman Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed to mental hopital
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James A. Spillman is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James A. Spillman was killed by edged weapon; knife.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lyon County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
