Louis G. Spencer

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA

Felonious

End of Watch December 24, 1946

Age 37

Tour of Duty 3 yrs 2 mo

The Vigil Panel 83 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 100

Incident

Patrolman Louis Spencer was killed near his home on Christmas Eve while pursuing an unidentified gunman. Patrolman Spencer, off-duty at the time, ran from his home on Erin Street when he heard gunshots and found an armed man shooting through the window of a neighbor. Although he was not in uniform, Patrolman Spencer pursued the suspect when the suspect ran from the scene. During the pursuit the suspect stopped, turned, and shot Patrolman Spencer in the heart. Patrolman Spencer was able to return fire and hit the suspect in the wrist. He was apprehended a short time later. The subject was found guilty of second degree murder on April 9, 1947, and sentenced 10-20 years in prison. Patrolman Spencer was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the city's highest award for bravery. The award and citation was presented to Patrolman Spencer widow by Mayor David L. Lawrence at the funeral. Patrolman Spencer had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for three years and was assigned to the Number 6 Police Station at Penn Avenue and Highland Avenue, present day Zone 5 Police Station East Liberty.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, mother, child, and siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-PA-37806585
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

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Spencer gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spencer.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

Location Pittsburgh, PA

Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 24, 1946

Tour of Duty 3 yrs 2 mo

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender sentenced 10-20 years

Patrolman Louis G. Spencer 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Pittsburgh Bureau of Police, 45 of 101 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 44.6% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police

of 101 officers

44.6% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious