Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Chad Spicer was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to stop a vehicle that had been involved in a shooting a short time earlier.
The suspect's vehicle suddenly stopped, and the patrol car came to a stop next to it. A rear-seat passenger in the suspect vehicle fired a single shot from inside the vehicle, striking Patrolman Spicer in the face. A ricochet from the round also struck his partner in the neck.
The shooter and the driver of the vehicle fled on foot while a third passenger remained on the scene and attempted to provide medical aid to the two officers.
The driver of the vehicle turned himself in several days later and testified against the shooter. In 2020, he was arrested for violating his parole. The suspect who fired the shot was arrested a short time after the shooting inside a nearby home. In February 2011, the suspect was convicted of murdering Patrolman Spicer, and he was subsequently sentenced to death. The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in August 2012.
Patrolman Spicer had served with the Georgetown Police Department for one year and had previously served in law enforcement for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter, parents, brother, two sisters, and fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DE-33FCC84E- 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 Spicer gave the Georgetown Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Georgetown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spicer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Chad Ernest Spicer 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 DE, 25 of 51 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 49% of this state's fallen. That is 5.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Georgetown Police Department, 1 of 2 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. Chad Ernest Spicer's cause is highlighted.
How Chad Ernest Spicer Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to death
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Chad Ernest Spicer is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Chad Ernest Spicer was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Georgetown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
