Patrolman Joseph Douglas Spiers
Gulfport Police Department
Mississippi
End of Watch: Sunday, November 21, 1971

Biographical Info
Age: 23
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: Sunday, November 21, 1971
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Not available

Patrolman Joseph Spiers was shot and killed by a female prisoner he and his partner were transporting to jail.

The prisoner had just been arrested by the two for drunk driving. The woman was elderly and was wearing a cast, causing the officers to have compassion for her and not handcuff her. As they were approximately one block from the jail, the woman produced a small pistol, concealed in her cast, and shot Patrolman Spiers in the back of the head.

Patrolman Spiers was a U.S. Navy veteran and had been awarded two Purple Heart medals during a tour in Vietnam.