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Incident
Deputy William Spencer succumbed to complications from a gunshot wound sustained two days earlier when he was shot while attempting to arrest a horse thief.
He and another deputy located the suspect at Fort Spokane. As Deputy Spencer called out to the man to place him under arrest the man suddenly spun around and opened fire, fatally wounding Deputy Spencer. Both deputies returned fire, killing the suspect.
Deputy Spencer underwent surgery to have this arm amputated, but died from complications two days after being shot.
Deputy Spencer was survived by his wife and one child.
Survivors
Deputy Spencer was survived by his wife and one child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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134 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Spencer served with the Whitman County Sheriff's Department.
Thank you for your service to the Colfax community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Whitman County Sheriff's Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William 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 1892, 2 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1892, 81 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 82nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1892, 84 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 41. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41.
William was 41. 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.
William was 41. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
April holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 18.7%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Whitman County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 25% 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
Whitman County Sheriff's Department has 4 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Whitman County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
