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Incident
Captain John Sullivan was assassinated as he sat in his home on W Sinto Avenue and N Adams Street. The assassin shot through the living room window while Captain Sullivan sat in his living room. The bullet passed through the chair, striking him in the chest. He was transported to Sacred Heart Hospital, where he succumbed to his wound. It is believed that he was shot as a result of all of the work he did to end prostitution and gambling houses in the city. No suspects were ever identified. Captain Sullivan had served with the Spokane Police Department for 21 years and had previously served as the Chief of Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
21 years. You could have gone home.
Captain Sullivan gave the Spokane Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Spokane community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Sullivan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1911, 1 officer at Spokane Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1911, 5 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1911, 149 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1911, 150 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 48. Of the 10 killed feloniously at Spokane Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 43.5. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 17.4 years.
John was 48. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 48. 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. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 21 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 10% of these deaths at Spokane Police Department; April holds the most, 20%. Saturdays: 20%.
January holds 7% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Saturdays: 16%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Spokane Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 60% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 24.6% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Spokane Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Robert J. Rusk
Apr 22, 1886
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Ephraim John Hubbard
Sep 7, 1886
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Henry A. Stotko
Apr 4, 1905
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Alfred B. Waterbury
Oct 28, 1909
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John T. Sullivan
Jan 7, 1911
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Fred Arthur Wilson Goddard
Mar 5, 1913
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Michael F. Tynan
Jun 24, 1916
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William D. Nelson
Mar 19, 1920
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Frederick A. Germain
Jul 21, 1922
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Roy Fordyce
Nov 13, 1929
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John Henry Miller
Feb 12, 1939
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George P. Lancaster
Nov 18, 1943
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Brian Frederick Orchard
Jul 20, 1983
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Robbin B. Best
Feb 13, 1987
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Jon David Anderson
Jul 5, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Spokane Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
