Annual ceremony honors fallen Georgetown Patrolman Chad Spicer
GEORGETOWN — Twelve years ago, Georgetown police patrolman Chad Spicer was shot and killed in the line of duty.
Despite the threat of severe weather, a caring community showed its support …
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Annual ceremony honors fallen Georgetown Patrolman Chad Spicer
By Glenn RolfeGEORGETOWN — Twelve years ago, Georgetown police patrolman Chad Spicer was shot and killed in the line of duty.
Despite the threat of severe weather, a caring community showed its support last Wednesday in the annual remembrance ceremony punctuated by the placing of a wreath at the monument on the Circle honoring Patrolman Spicer.
“It’s a unique situation, and people don’t forget,” said Georgetown Mayor Bill West, among those who spoke at the event. “We got it in. Rain held off. Chad was looking down on us.”
Speakers included Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, Rep. Ruth Briggs King, Chad’s mother Ruth Ann Spicer, Mayor West and Georgetown Police Chief R.L. Hughes.
On the evening of 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. Patrolman Spicer was 29.
Derrick Powell, the shooter, was charged with first-degree murder and eventually convicted. Powell was given the death sentence but was subsequently resentenced to life in prison.
Among those on hand were the case prosecutors, Mayor West said.
In attendance were friends, family that included Patrolman Spicer’s daughter Aubrey, now 15, and mother, along with representatives of the Georgetown Police Department and other law enforcement agencies.
Ruth Ann Spicer spoke of support for law enforcement and that her son died in the line of duty as a police officer, doing something that he loved.
Rep. Briggs King shared her family’s personal connection.
“My eldest son and Chad were best friends from the time they were 2 or 3 years old. Chad and Jared, their birthdays were within a week of each other, and they always celebrated those together,” said Rep. Briggs King. “Chad was actually killed on my son’s birthday, Sept. 1. So every year it is bittersweet. We celebrate another birthday knowing that Chad is not with us to celebrate his birthday.”
“Chad was special to the people of Georgetown,” said Mayor West, recalling the words of Chief Hughes that “We will never forget.”
This ceremony is held annually on Sept. 1. It will continue to be held regardless of weather.
“From now on, even it rains we’re going to do it,” Mayor West said.
