Roll of Honor
John Spaldt
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Handgun Offender: Unknown disposition
Mounted Customs Inspector John Spaldt was shot and killed while attempting to search two men he suspected of smuggling a Mexican liquor, known as mescal, in Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas.
He had already made one seizure of mescal and was taking it to his home to store it when he encountered two more suspected smugglers. The men were smuggling the liquor into the county to bribe voters during a contentious election in which the corrupt sheriff had sworn in over 100 special deputies to work on the Democratic ticket and "protect" the polls.
As Inspector Spaldt attempted to search the men, one of the special deputies intervened and then shot Inspector Spaldt twice in the back, killing him. The man who shot him was arrested, but it is not known what the outcome of the case was.
Inspector Spaldt was survived by his wife and young daughter.
Survivors
Inspector Spaldt was survived by his wife and young daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Customs Inspector Spaldt served with the United States Department of the Treasury.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Customs Inspector John Spaldt 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 DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service, 47 of 94 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Spaldt's cause is highlighted.
How John Spaldt Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Spaldt is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Spaldt was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
93 officers from United States Department of the Treasury - United States Customs Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
