Louis G. Spencer
Agency patch
Patrolman

Louis G. Spencer

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police — Pittsburgh, PA
Felonious
End of Watch December 24, 1946
Age 37
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 2 mo
The Vigil Panel 83 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Louis Spencer was killed near his home on Christmas Eve while pursuing an unidentified gunman. Patrolman Spencer, off-duty at the time, ran from his home on Erin Street when he heard gunshots and found an armed man shooting through the window of a neighbor. Although he was not in uniform, Patrolman Spencer pursued the suspect when the suspect ran from the scene. During the pursuit the suspect stopped, turned, and shot Patrolman Spencer in the heart. Patrolman Spencer was able to return fire and hit the suspect in the wrist. He was apprehended a short time later. The subject was found guilty of second degree murder on April 9, 1947, and sentenced 10-20 years in prison. Patrolman Spencer was posthumously awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the city's highest award for bravery. The award and citation was presented to Patrolman Spencer widow by Mayor David L. Lawrence at the funeral. Patrolman Spencer had served with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police for three years and was assigned to the Number 6 Police Station at Penn Avenue and Highland Avenue, present day Zone 5 Police Station East Liberty.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, mother, child, and siblings.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Spencer gave the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spencer.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Federal Agency
Location Pittsburgh, Allegheny County, PA
Platform Identity pittpd.fed.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 24, 1946
Tour of Duty 3 yrs 2 mo
Age 37
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Louis is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1946, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Louis was 37. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Louis had served 3.2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police has 101 officers remembered here, Louis among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Louis G. Spencer

Pittsburgh Bureau of Police · End of Watch December 24, 1946

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W

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