Georgetown pays tribute to Chad Spicer

In a brief ceremony on The Circle May 5, family, friends and fellow police officers gathered to honor the life of fallen Georgetown Police Patrolman Chad Spicer.

His family said his main goal in life was to become a police officer in the town where he grew up.

Under sunny skies, his parents, Norman and Ruth Ann Spicer, unveiled a monument in their son's honor.

"Now his daughter, Aubrey, will always be happy and can enjoy this the rest of her life.  She can show her family what a wonderful man her daddy was," said Ruth Ann Spicer.

Georgetown Police Chief William Topping, master of ceremonies, said Spicer’s memory lives on in those who knew him, and the monument would allow that memory to endure.

“He loved being a police officer and had a love for the people of Georgetown,” said Georgetown Mayor Brian Pettyjohn.

The mayor said Georgetown changed 611 days ago when one of their own was shot and killed. “We all came together to support one another,” he said.

Pettyjohn said the greatest legacy to Spicer would be for those he touched to take his love of family, community, his savior and his sacrifice and apply those lessons to their everyday lives. “This would be the greatest monument to Chad,” he said.

The memorial, located on The Circle at North Bedford Street, is etched with the story of Spicer’s life and the events that transpired the day he was shot. A likeness of Spicer sits atop the monument, which was designed and made by the Parsell family.

The Rev. Rick Betts of Crossroad Community Church offered the invocation and benediction. Corp. Matt Barlow of the Georgetown police sang the National Anthem and the Dover Police Department served as honor guard.

Before becoming a Georgetown officer, Spicer worked at Sussex Correctional Institution in Georgetown and in Bridgeville and Laurel. He was sworn in as an officer in his hometown Sept. 2, 2008.

Spicer was fatally shot in the line of duty in September 2009, a year after he was sworn in.