Prev
Incident
Patrolman Chad Spicer was shot and killed as he and his partner attempted to stop a vehicle that had been involved in a shooting a short time earlier.
The suspect's vehicle suddenly stopped, and the patrol car came to a stop next to it. A rear-seat passenger in the suspect vehicle fired a single shot from inside the vehicle, striking Patrolman Spicer in the face. A ricochet from the round also struck his partner in the neck.
The shooter and the driver of the vehicle fled on foot while a third passenger remained on the scene and attempted to provide medical aid to the two officers.
The driver of the vehicle turned himself in several days later and testified against the shooter. In 2020, he was arrested for violating his parole. The suspect who fired the shot was arrested a short time after the shooting inside a nearby home. In February 2011, the suspect was convicted of murdering Patrolman Spicer, and he was subsequently sentenced to death. The Delaware Supreme Court upheld the death sentence in August 2012.
Patrolman Spicer had served with the Georgetown Police Department for one year and had previously served in law enforcement for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his daughter, parents, brother, two sisters, and fiancee.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtnq7xbmawtj9px1637q8- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Chad. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Spicer gave the Georgetown Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Georgetown community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Spicer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Georgetown Police Department has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Chad is one of 25 officers killed feloniously in DE, 49% of the 51 remembered there.
Chad is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Chad is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2009, 1 officer in DE was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 23 years on record. The heaviest was 1972, with 2.
In 2009, 59 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 129th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2009, 63 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 126th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Chad was 29. Of the 24 killed feloniously in DE whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45.5; the middle age was 34. Chad had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Chad was 29. 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. Chad had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Chad was 29. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Chad had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 12% of these deaths in DE; January holds the most, 16%. Tuesdays: 8%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Georgetown Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 49% of all 51 deaths in DE, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 4% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Georgetown Police Department has 2 officers remembered here, Chad among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 39-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Georgetown Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
