Sergeant Vincent S. Spinelli, Sr.

Sergeant Vincent S. Spinelli, Sr.

Cayuga County Sheriff's Office, New York

End of Watch Thursday, August 6, 1992

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Vincent S. Spinelli, Sr.

Sergeant Vincent Spinelli suffered a fatal heart attack after being struck in the chest by a disorderly inmate at the jail dormitory located at the Cayuga County Public Safety Building on County House Road in Auburn.

The inmate was upset about receiving the wrong sandwich at meal time. He assaulted Sergeant Spinelli and two other officers in the jail's dormitory before being subdued. Sergeant Spinelli collapsed and died approximately two hours later.

The inmate was acquitted of manslaughter but convicted of assaulting two other officers.

Sergeant Spinelli was a United States Maine Corps Vietnam War veteran and served with the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office for eight years. He was survived by his wife and two children.

Bio

  • Age 56
  • Tour 8 years
  • Badge Not available
  • Military Veteran

Incident Details

  • Cause Heart attack
  • Weapon Person
  • Offender Convicted of assault

prisoner custody

Most Recent Reflection

View all 10 Reflections

Sgt. Spinelli,
On today, the 30th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the USMC during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Semper Fi Devil Dog!
A fellow LEO; former Marine

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

August 6, 2022

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