Roll of Honor
Incident
Captain John Sullivan was assassinated as he sat in his home on W Sinto Avenue and N Adams Street. The assassin shot through the living room window while Captain Sullivan sat in his living room. The bullet passed through the chair, striking him in the chest. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound. It is believed that he was shot as a result of all of the work he did to end prostitution and gambling houses in the city. No suspects were ever identified. Captain Sullivan had served with the Spokane Police Department for 21 years and had previously served as the Chief of Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-3D5AE096- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Sullivan gave the Spokane Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Captain John T. Sullivan 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 WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Spokane Police Department, 10 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John T. Sullivan's cause is highlighted.
How John T. Sullivan Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John T. Sullivan is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John T. Sullivan was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
