Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Milton Spell was shot and killed after stopping a suspect drunk driver in the 1600 block of North Bradford Street. Officer Spell, who was on foot patrol, called for backup and approached the vehicle to speak with the driver. As they spoke, the driver opened fire from inside the car, striking Officer Spell in the chest and abdomen. His backup unit, who was less than one block away, heard the shots and immediately started CPR when he arrived on the scene. Officer Spell was transported to Johns Hopkins University Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds a short time later. The 31-year-old suspect was apprehended, convicted of first-degree murder, and sentenced to life. Officer Spell was a United States Army veteran and had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for seven years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MD-842EC56C- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Police Officer Spell gave the Baltimore City Police Department 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Milton I. Spell served in the Army (1964â1967) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Milton I. Spell 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 2.5 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Baltimore Police Dept., 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Milton I. Spell's cause is highlighted.
How Milton I. Spell Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Milton I. Spell is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Milton I. Spell was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
150 officers from Baltimore Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
