Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Lord Jesus, as we watch America’s Peace Officers succumb to the wicked and evil in this world, Shot and Killed in the Line-of-Duty, it becomes difficult for us to pick up and move forward. Our communities are on the brink of exploding with tension. In light of the peace officers who are no longer with us, I pray for endurance for our communities and law enforcement agencies. Carry us through this time of strife, that through our struggles, our bonds may grow even more unbreakable. In Your mighty and holy name, I pray. Amen.

Holy Scriptures on Law Enforcement’s Mission:

“For the policeman [peace officer] does not frighten people who are doing right; but those doing evil will always fear him. So if you don’t want to be afraid, keep the laws and you will get along well. The policeman [peace officer] is sent by God to help you. But if you are doing something wrong, of course you should be afraid, for he [the peace officer] will have you punished. He [the peace officer] is sent by God for that very purpose. Obey the laws, then, for two reasons: first, to keep from being punished, and second, just because you know you should.” [Romans 13:3-5 TLB]

[Jesus Said,] “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13 ESV]

And he [Jesus] said to him, “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in paradise.” [Luke 23:43 ESV]

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons [children] of God.” [Matthew 5:9 ESV]

“And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.” [Isaiah 6:8 ESV]

Chaplain Steven R. Closs, DDiv, MSBS, NCCA, FCPO-USA
Ordained Christian Global Outreach Minister No. 36526
The Badge 183 Peacemakers Prayer Ministry

January 8, 2024

Knew this guy from birth. Me, him and Steve downes when I got them started. I was at SBPD at the time. Rip

Benson
USAMP SBPD

November 1, 2023

Officer Spicer was an officer who backed me up when one of my prisoners tried to escape en route to the State DOC facility. We wrestled the subject together, and shook hands afterwards at his station, where we went to cool off for a bit. He was a decent fellow officer, and we were both so young. He was cut short in his prime.

Officer Matt Mcmullen
Dewey Beach Police

May 13, 2022

Chad it's been 12 years and I miss u more today then the day it happened, you will never be forgotten I love you baby brother ALWAYS

Lisa Spicer Etienne survivor of officer Chad Spicer Delaware

March 21, 2021

My prayers to the family and to his officers in blue

Lisa Spicer Etienne survivor of officer Chad Spicer Delaware

March 21, 2021

Remember it all too well unfortunately and the network of text messages going around alerting all your LE brethren when it happened. Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your fellow law enforcement.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 1, 2020

Ceremony honors fallen Police Officer
Posted on Delaware State News Sep 2nd, 2019

GEORGETOWN — Sunday marked a decade since Georgetown Police Patrolman Chad Spicer’s end of watch.

“Remembrance … where were you 10 years ago?” said Georgetown Mayor Bill West. “I can remember just like it was yesterday, standing in the garage, cleaning the garage and hearing all the sirens, and wondering what was going on?”

On Sept. 1, 2009, Patrolman Spicer was shot and killed as he and his patrol partner attempted to stop a vehicle that had been involved in a shooting a short time earlier. He was 29.

“What was happening in the town of Georgetown?” Mayor West recalled.

“So, I drove up to the fire hall to find out. And they didn’t want to tell me. They said, ‘Bill, just go on home.’ I couldn’t do that. I had to know what was going on. Then, it was told to me as to what had happened; Chad had been shot. And my heart just dropped, because I knew the family. I love the family. We’ve been in the town all of our life. We’re not just friends, we’re family.”

Sunday evening, family, friends, community members and Chad’s extended family of law enforcement assembled on The Circle for a wreath-laying ceremony to mark the 10th anniversary of his passing.

“Although we mark the 10th anniversary of Chad’s death, our memories of him have never faded, and our support for one another grows stronger,” said Georgetown Police Chief R.L. Hughes.

Chad Spicer
An estimated 200 people attended the ceremony that included remembrances and reflections from Georgetown Chief Hughes, Mayor West, State Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons and Chad’s mom, Ruth Ann Spicer.

Chad’s 13-year-old daughter, Aubrey, who was 3 at the time of his death, Sussex County Councilman John Rieley and a large contingent of town of Georgetown officers and other law enforcement representatives were among the attendees.

“The support from the law enforcement community, we are brothers and sisters. It means the world to me and it means the world to each of us,” said Chief Hughes. “No, we cannot hold him in our arms, but he fills our hearts and minds every waking moment. Chad is here. Look no further than Ruth Ann and Aubrey to see Chad.”

“Everyone I have ever met who knew Chad Spicer says amazing things about him as a young man, as an athlete, as a family man, as a father and a patrolman,” Sen. Coons said. “General Patton once said, ‘Rather than question why God takes from us such good men, we should instead thank God that such good men ever lived.’ Nothing that we say, nothing that we do can erase the pain of his loss. I cannot imagine Ruth Ann how you and Aubrey have made it through these 10 years without him. I just hope and pray that all of us gathering and all of us speaking and all of us hoping and all of us praying can hasten the day when your memories of him bring a smile before they bring a tear.”

“Just like Mayor West, I remember exactly what I was doing when I heard …,” said Sen. Pettyjohn. “We just sat down to eat dinner. It was my wife’s famous salmon, asparagus, and macaroni and cheese on a red plate. You remember those granular details about things that you were doing when you heard about such a tragedy. I remember that night like it was yesterday.”

“It’s not just the memory of that night that stays in our hearts and our minds, it’s the memory of Chad, and who he was, who he was to our community and who he was to us individually,” said Sen. Pettyjohn. “I knew Chad since he was a little boy – I was a few years older than Chad – but we all grew up around the same area together.”

Sen. Pettyjohn recalls when he learned Chad was going to be a member of the Georgetown police force. Patrolman Spicer joined the Georgetown department in September 2008.

“That is what he always to do. When he came to Georgetown, I knew he was home. That is where he really wanted to be, not just in law enforcement but to be working in the town that he called home for the people that he called family,” Sen. Pettyjohn said.


‘End of Watch’ monument honoring Chad Spicer.
The tragedy on Sept. 1, 2009, began with a shooting incident in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant on DuPont Boulevard. The scene shifted in town where Patrolman Spicer, responding to a “shots fired” complaint call with his partner, was struck by a shot fired from the suspect vehicle.

Derrick Powell, the shooter, would be arrested, charged with first-degree murder and eventually convicted. Powell was given the death sentence but was subsequently resentenced to life in prison.

“As we all know, and as the men and women of law enforcement more than anyone knows, to have the enjoyment, and the peace, and the security, and the prosperity our nation knows requires sacrifice. It requires men and women of courage who are willing to come forward and sign on a dotted line,” said Sen. Coons, who addressed Chad’s mom and daughter.

“I was at a wedding last night and as I watched the bride walk down, I cried for a moment thinking about Aubrey someday will have moments in her life, a graduation, a wedding perhaps, and Chad will not be there in person,” said Sen. Coons. “We all know he will be there in spirit and as long as we hold together his memory in our hearts and are with you through these hard days and hard moments, we hope that your lives will be made richer by our deep and enduring gratitude.”

“Sen. Coons, I will tell you, yes, Chad may not be here physically, but he is here,” said Chief Hughes. “But in his stead, for some of those special moments for Aubrey … recently there was a dance that Aubrey attended and several uniformed police officers from the Georgetown Police department showed up to make sure that it was a special occasion. I’m pretty sure that is going to continue.”

Ms. Spicer said the reality that her son has been gone 10 years really hit home earlier on Sunday.
“That really hit my heart. I thought, ‘My son has been gone a decade. I can’t believe this.’ Ten years … I haven’t seen my son in that long. I haven’t had the joy with him that he and I shared, the stories that he would tell me and the laughs that we would have and the cries,” said Ms. Spicer. “He was always pulling practical jokes on me. I loved every minute of it. I just loved having my son with me. And Chad would tell you, yes, he was a mama’s boy and he loved every minute of it, and I loved every minute of it too.”

“But, you know, he was called on Sept. 1, 10 years ago by the good Lord,” said Ms. Spicer. “We all have to accept that and go on. It’s very hard. It’s very hard for Aubrey because she has to go along without a father, and I am only a grandmother. But with all these police officers, our family, I know that everyone will look out for her and I know, like R.L. said, the police officers will always be there for her. They will always show her the love and respect that her father would want her to have.”

“As I look out here today, I see a lot of family,” said Mayor West. “I want to thank everybody for being here for this day of remembrance. This town will never forget what Chad Spicer was to the town of Georgetown.”

Retired Police Officer
NYPD

September 3, 2019

Patrolman Spicer,
On today, the 10th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Georgetown. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol
El Paso Station

September 1, 2019

I was arrested by Patrolman Spicer when he was in Bridgeville. To this day he is the best officer I have ever encountered. May you rest in peace

Jerome Myers

July 29, 2018

"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

April 26, 2017

Always remembered, never forgotten.

Senior Corporal Lev Ellian South Bethany Police
Det. Lev Ellian M-NCPPC Park Police Montgomery County
PO3 Lev Ellian Montgomery County Police

PO3 Lev Ellian
Montgomery County Police

August 27, 2016

My heart aches for this man's friends and family. No doubt he was a great man who dedicated his life to serving his country and the common good. Officer Spicer, thank you so much for serving in our law enforcement and my prayers be with those who loved you.

John Haseltine - Civilian

May 14, 2016

Chad I heard many stories about you from your brother at BPD Unfortunately I was unable to meet you but your daughter as you can see by watching over her is being taken care of by many friends fellow police officers and most important family. You will forever be remembered.

FF Erin Longo
Sussex Fire Department (Sussex NJ)

February 23, 2014

Rest easy brother. You're NOT forgotten! There are no words........

Corporal Ron Odom
Elkton Maryland P.D., Brother of K. Odom Newark Delaware P.D.

September 20, 2013

well today marks the 4th yr you were killed and it still seems like yesterday man the time goes by so fast but u will never be forgotten u touched alot of peoples lives that will never let u be forgotten i wish u were here with us i miss u so bad but i know i will see u again so rest in peace i love u always

Lisa Spicer
sister

September 1, 2013

Thinking of you and all of your loved ones today. Continue to keep watch over all of them. Wrap your wings around them and protect them from harm. You will never be forgotten as true heroes never die.

Bob Gordon
Father of Fallen Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

September 1, 2013

We miss you always 908-3

Suscom

September 1, 2013

IN HONORE CASORUM
Gone, but not forgotten.

Sgt. T. J. Jones
Greater Cleveland Transit Police Department, Ohio

September 1, 2013

hope your daughter and family are doing well! Sir Never forgotten

Brice

May 19, 2013

Chad,

We will always stand tall together.

lieutenant John Moore
Department of Correction

April 27, 2013

Thank you for your service and for helping to make America a safer place.

Detective Brian Jones
Boulder County Sheriff's Office, CO

March 17, 2013

It's been three years since you were taken from us. For our little department it has been a long hard road to recovery. The job never gives us a break. We have not been and will not be the same, ever. I will not let the people of the Town, County or State ever forget your name, your service or your sacrifice. You are missed by all of us.

Chief William Topping
Georgetown Police Department

September 8, 2012

Happy Birthday Chad!!! I can't believe another year has gone by. We miss you always

Brandi Ober
Suscom Delaware State Police.

August 23, 2012

Too many, too soon. Rest easy, Chad, we've got it from here.

Sgt. Bill Clough
University of Delaware Police Dept.

August 10, 2012

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Spicer. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

February 4, 2012