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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
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- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Spokane Police Department has lost 15 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Roy is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
Roy is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roy 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 1929, 1 officer at Spokane Police Department was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 9 years on record. The heaviest was 1886, with 2.
In 1929, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roy was 54. 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. Roy had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 17.4 years.
Roy was 54. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. Roy had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Roy was 54. 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. Roy had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roy was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roy had served 19.9 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 10% of these deaths at Spokane Police Department; April holds the most, 20%. Wednesdays: 20%.
November holds 11.8% of these deaths in WA, more than any other month. Wednesdays: 15%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 15 deaths at Spokane Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Spokane Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, Roy 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-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.
