On Friday, April 1, 1892, Deputy William Spencer of the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office was shot while attempting to arrest a horse thief.
Deputy Spencer and another deputy had located the suspect at Fort Spokane. As Deputy Spencer called out to the suspect to place him under arrest, the suspect suddenly spun around and opened fire. Deputy Spencer was wounded, but both deputies opened fire on the suspect and killed him.
Two days after the shooting, and after Deputy Spencer’s arm was amputated, he died from complications of his gunshot wounds on April 3, 1892.
In addition to maintaining the Washington State Law Enforcement Memorial, Behind the Badge Foundation
delivers critical support to surviving family members after a line of duty death - from grief
resources
to financial support.