Breathitt County Constable's Office, Kentucky
End of Watch Saturday, January 29, 1927
Add to My HeroesJames Spencer
Constable Jim Spencer was shot and killed in Jackson, Kentucky, after ejecting three brothers from a restaurant for acting disorderly.
After ejecting them he was called to another restaurant where he ejected them again. As Constable Spencer struck up a conversation with some of the patrons the three entered and one shot him in the head.
All three brothers, 18, 22, and 24, were arrested and charged with murder. Charges were dropped against one. The gunman was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Two years later his sentence was commuted to 10 years. The third suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years. He was paroled on June 24, 1931.
Constable Spencer was survived by his expectant wife and daughter.
Constable Spencer's brother, Constable Henry Spencer, succeeded him in office and was shot and mortally in the line of duty wounded on October 29th, 1927. Constable Henry Spencer died from his wounds on November 2nd, 1927.
Bio
- Age 43
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, January 23, 1927
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to 10 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsJames w. Spencer was my grandfather. When he was killed he already had a daughter Cary and an unborn child also named James Spencer. I am his sons daughter Linda Spencer Miller. I wish I would of met my grandfather but thanks to the three people involved in his murder, my father never met his father, therefore I never had the honor to meet him also.
Linda D. Spencer Miller
Granddaughter
June 27, 2020
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