On Saturday, April 26, 2025, White Settlement Police Captain DeWitt “Wid” Spivey was added to the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial Wall in Austin, Texas. It was 70 years ago on March 12, 1955, when Captain Spivey suffered a fatal heart attack while responding and managing a homicide scene in the 200 block of Donald Street. 

According to local media accounts and thorough vetting, Captain Spivey was one of the first officers to arrive at the scene of a fatal stabbing call. He collapsed at the scene during the investigation and was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased. He had served with the White Settlement Police Department for two years and was Acting Police Chief at the time of his line of duty death. He also served with the Comanche County, Texas Sheriff’s Office from 1936-1942 and as DeLeon, Texas Chief of Police from 1942-1951.

“Our team is honored to remember the life and legacy of Captain DeWitt Wid Spivey,” said Chief of Police Christopher Cook. “As soon as our team heard about this story, we worked diligently to research the case so that Captain Spivey could finally get the recognition and honors that he deserved as an honorable Texas Peace Officer. It is with a grateful and humble heart that our agency stands in solidarity to never forget any of our fallen heroes, including Captain Spivey.”

Chief Cook submitted a full review of the case with the Officer Down Memorial Page (ODMP) on March 15, 2023. On June 3, 2024, ODMP researchers notified Chief Cook that the case had been vetted across several news stories, death certificate, and other criteria. At that time, Assistant Chief Roger Yount assisted with the submission to the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial in Austin and the National Law Enforcement Memorial Foundation in Washington D.C. 

On December 26, 2024, Chief Cook was notified by the Texas Peace Officers’ Memorial that Captain Spivey was accepted as a line of duty death and would be honored and engraved onto the Memorial Wall during the April 26, 2025 Candlelight Vigil. 

On April 4, 2025, Chief Cook was notified by Emily Gray, Chief Development Officer for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, that Captain Spivey would be one of the 345 fallen officers’ names engraved on the National Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. to honor our nation’s peace officers. 

The department’s Honor Guard traveled to Austin today to be a part of the state ceremony. The Honor Guard, led by Officer Wesley Gregory, will also travel to Washington D.C. in May 2025 to participate in the national ceremony. 

Background on DeWitt Spivey:

• Captain Spivey was born on May 25, 1897 in Hamilton County, Texas. He was survived by his wife at the time of his death (1899-1971). 
• Captain Spivey was buried at the Oakwood Cemetery at Comanche, Texas. 
• The department located some family members in Stephenville, Texas who were extremely thankful for the thorough follow-up and state/national honors. They ask for privacy at this time.  

Department Fallen Heroes:

1. Captain DeWitt “Wid” Spivey | End of Watch: March 12, 1955 | Heart Attack
2. Captain George Scott Monier | End of Watch: April 24, 2002 | Gunfire
3. Corporal Albert Rene Gomez | End of Watch: July 27, 2021 | Covid-19