U.S. Navy · United States 
James Spann
1954
James Jenkins Spann served the U.S. Navy.
How He Died
Manner
Homicide
Cause
Gunshot wound
Mechanism
Firearm
What Happened
Officer James Spann was shot and killed following a hostage standoff. A man had taken several hostages in an attempt to demand a ransom. After his plans were foiled he attempted to flee and engaged officers in a shootout near a gas station around 8:30 p.m. Officer Spann was shot 4 times and was fatally wounded. The suspect, 33, who had served a previous prison sentence for homicide, was also shot and wounded. He was later sentenced to 99 years in prison. Officer Spann, who served in the U.S.
Survivors
Navy during WWII, was survived by his wife, daughter, and son.
Service Record
U.S. Navy
Also Served
Abilene Police Department
Officer
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtprnx2xggc8r9h295bn1
Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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