San Antonio Police Department, Texas
End of Watch: Saturday, June 30, 1973
Age: 24
Tour of Duty: 4 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 30, 1973
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Released from prison
Patrolman Russell Spannagel was shot and killed with his own service weapon during a struggle with a suspect.
He had gone to a home to follow up on a domestic disturbance complaint when the male suspect began to struggle with him. The man was able to gain control of Patrolman Spannagel's .357 caliber service revolver and shot him in the chest. The suspect was arrested at the scene by responding officers. The man was convicted only of manslaughter and released from prison after serving only a few years.
Patrolman Spannagel had served with the San Antonio Police Department for four years. He was survived by his wife and two children.