Deputy Collector Joe L. Spurrier

Deputy Collector Joe L. Spurrier

United States Department of the Treasury - Office of Internal Revenue, U.S. Government

End of Watch Thursday, October 27, 1892

Joe L. Spurrier

Deputy Collector Joe Spurrier, Deputy Collector Stephen Mather, and Revenue Agent Creed Cardwell, were shot and killed in an ambush in Lincoln County, Tennessee, while en route to investigate reports of an illegal liquor still. They were ambushed as they were riding their horses down a remote trail. The agents were able to return fire and one of the suspects was also shot and killed.

Deputy Collector Mather was killed at the scene. Other agents were able to take the two wounded agents to a local doctor where Agent Cardwell died later in the day. Chief Deputy Spurrier was taken to his home in Nashville where he succumbed to his wounds three weeks later.

Deputy Collector Spurrier had served in federal law enforcement for 12 years. Before joining the Revenue Service he had served with the US Marshals Services.

Bio

Age 40
Tour 12 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Tennessee
Incident Date Friday, October 7, 1892
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Shot and killed

Most Recent Reflection

View all 5 Reflections

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 117th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya

Anonymous

October 7, 2009