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Incident
Officer Richard D. (Dick) Hamilton worked at the Gulf Refinery as a foreman. He was appointed as a special police officer by Port Arthur Police Chief Pete Williams.
On November 3, 1920, Officer Hamilton went to the electrical shop of Oscar Spence to arrest him on a warrant for burglary. Hamilton declared that when he informed Spence that he had come after him, Spence opened a drawer of his desk and drew a gun. Hamilton then fired six shots in rapid succession. Spence ran into the street and collapsed. He died shortly afterwards at the hospital.
Around 8:00 p.m., on December 11, 1920, Hamilton was driving home from a picture show with his wife, three children and a sister. Two men in an automobile pulled alongside Hamilton and one man leaned out of the window and fired a blast from a 12-gauge shotgun. Hamilton, who was driving, fell over into his wife’s arms. A load of No. 6 buckshot, which caused the officer’s death, entered in the back under the left shoulder blade some of the shot making an exit on the right breast. The shot, which killed Hamilton, was fired at close range, the officer's clothing being burned and a large hole torn in his back. Hamilton’s car swerved into the curbing of the sidewalk, smashed the right front wheel, and nearly overturned.
Hamilton was buried in the Greenlawn Cemetery in Port Arthur next to his father who died in 1919 and his mother who had died in 1918. Hamilton was survived by his wife, Josie, and three children - Ruth Evelyn and Vivian - one brother, Archie Hamilton of Beaumont, a sister, Mrs. C. G. Land, and two nephews, James and John Land of Port Arthur.
Ralph F. Spence, 21 years old, brother of Oscar Spence, who was shot and killed on November 3 by Officer Hamilton, was arrested in Beaumont shortly after the shooting. Spence had rented the automobile and the driver was later released claiming he did not know Spence intended to kill Hamilton. Spence was charged with the murder but the trial produced a hung jury and he was never re-tried.
Survivors
Hamilton was survived by his wife, Josie, and three children - Ruth Evelyn and Vivian - one brother, Archie Hamilton of Beaumont, a sister, Mrs.
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Special Officer Hamilton served with the Port Arthur Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Port Arthur community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Hamilton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Port Arthur Police Department has lost 7 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Richard is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Richard is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Richard 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 1920, 1 officer at Port Arthur Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1920, 14 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Richard was 37. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Port Arthur Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 37; the middle age was 32.
Richard was 37. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
Richard 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.
Richard was 37. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 33.3% of these deaths at Port Arthur Police Department; August holds the most, 50%. Saturdays: 16.7%.
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.6%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.3%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 85.7% of all 7 deaths at Port Arthur Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.9% 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 shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun; 12 gauge, in 0.2% of these deaths.
His people
Port Arthur Police Department has 7 officers remembered here, Richard among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 31-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Port Arthur Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
