Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer James Spann was shot and killed following a hostage standoff. A man had taken several hostages in an attempt to demand a ransom. After his plans were foiled he attempted to flee and engaged officers in a shootout near a gas station around 8:30 p.m. Officer Spann was shot 4 times and was fatally wounded. The suspect, 33, who had served a previous prison sentence for homicide, was also shot and wounded. He was later sentenced to 99 years in prison. Officer Spann, who served in the U.S.
Survivors
Navy during WWII, was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-CE2EAA3C- 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.
Officer Spann gave the Abilene Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Abilene 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
James Jenkins Spann served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Officer James Jenkins Spann 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 Abilene Police Department, 2 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Jenkins Spann's cause is highlighted.
How James Jenkins Spann Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 99 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Jenkins Spann is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Jenkins Spann was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Abilene Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
