Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Spears was shot and killed by a man while responding to a domestic disturbance call involving the man and his wife. During a struggle with the suspect he managed to take Sergeant service revolver from him and shot him. On April 6, 1976 the male suspect, 47, was convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. On April 17, 1979, a new trial was ordered but he was allowed to plead guilty of manslaughter before the trial began, and sentenced to 20 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MS-1C66A867- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Spears gave the McComb Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the McComb community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Spears.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant John Spears 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 MS, 243 of 350 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this state's fallen. That is 69.4 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At McComb Police Department, 3 of 3 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. John Spears's cause is highlighted.
How John Spears Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Spears is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Spears was killed by officer's weapon.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from McComb Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
