Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Jerry Spruill was shot and killed in the 600 block of Westheimer Road after being set up in an ambush while working a uniformed, off-duty security detail. He had gone inside to call dispatch when a man came in and told him his car's lights were on. When he went outside to check on the car, two suspects approached him and shot him in the back six times. He was transported to Ben Taub Hospital where he was pronounced dead at around midnight. One suspect was apprehended and sentenced to 38 years for Officer Spruill's murder and was sentenced to life in prison in connection with the attempted murder of two other officers. The suspect was released after serving only 14 years. The second suspect has never been apprehended. Officer Spruill was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the Houston Police Department for three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-26705A25- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Jerry. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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 Spruill gave the Houston Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Houston 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
Jerry Leon Spruill served in the Army (1964â1967) before joining law enforcement.
Police Officer Jerry Leon Spruill 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jerry Leon Spruill's cause is highlighted.
How Jerry Leon Spruill Compares
Offender Outcome
Released after serving 14 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jerry Leon Spruill is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jerry Leon Spruill was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
