Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective Roy Fordyce was shot and killed while attempting to question two juveniles at the Spokoma Hotel on Main Street at 2:45 p.m. Detective Fordyce and another detective had trailed the two from a local store where they had just purchased a gun. As they stopped the suspects, one opened fire, killing Detective Fordyce. The shooter was shot and wounded. Both were arrested. It was later discovered the 16-year-old shooter was wanted in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for several hold-ups in which two men were shot. He was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in Walla Walla Penitentiary. On July 13, 1933, he stabbed a fellow inmate to death. On September 21, 1951, he was paroled. Detective Fordyce had served with the Spokane Police Department for almost 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-WA-E48C01EB- 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.
Detective Fordyce gave the Spokane Police Department 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Fordyce.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective Roy Fordyce 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Spokane Police Department, 10 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Roy Fordyce's cause is highlighted.
How Roy Fordyce Compares
Offender Outcome
suspicious activity
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Roy Fordyce is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Roy Fordyce was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
