Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Samuel Spence succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained the previous day when he and another detective responded to a disturbance call at an establishment known as Paul's Hall.
A subject opened fire on the detectives, striking Detective Spence in the side. The round severed his spinal cord and caused paralysis of his legs. The other detective was able to return fire and killed the subject.
Detective Spence was survived by his wife and four children.
Survivors
Detective Spence was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-BE44080D- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Spence served with the Bessemer Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Bessemer community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Spence.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Samuel Ulysses Spence is one of 17,559 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,587 officers honored here.
In AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 9.1 percentage points above the national rate of 53.9%.
At Bessemer Police Department, 10 of 10 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. Samuel Ulysses Spence's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel Ulysses Spence Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel Ulysses Spence is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel Ulysses Spence was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Bessemer Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
