GEORGETOWN, Del. - The Georgetown community gathered on Tuesday, Sept. 1, to honor the life and sacrifice of Officer Chad Spicer, 17 years after he was killed in the line of duty.
The annual wreath-laying ceremony was held at the Georgetown Circle to remember Spicer and honor his legacy.
"This is people that are coming out on their own to respect Chad and honor Chad and never forget Chad," said Spicer’s mother, Ruth Ann.
A wreath was laid at a newly replaced monument honoring Spicer. The original monument was destroyed after a drunk driver crashed into it in 2023.
Ruth Ann said seeing the monument restored was emotional.
"I am so thrilled to have his monument back because it was like, he’s back with us," she said. "It was like, welcome home Chad. We love you. And we’re so glad that you’re back here with us."
On Sept. 1, 2009, Spicer responded to a report of shots fired near Route 113. During the response, a gunman fired into the police car, killing Spicer. He was 29 years old.
Ruth Ann said the loss of her son was devastating.
"It just took every bit of strength and whatever. I just can't even explain to you in words how devastating it was for anyone to lose a child," she said. "It's just you're not supposed to have to bury your children. We're not the same after something so devastating like this happens to you."
The ceremony also served as a reminder for law enforcement officers of the dangers and sacrifices that can come with the job.
"These are the realities of this job, that we could have a monument on this circle that may have their name on it," Georgetown Police Chief Ralph Holm said. "But that’s the dark side of it. The light side of that is we want them to know that their legacy will never be forgotten either."
Deputy Chief Joel Diaz said the pain of losing Spicer will never completely disappear.
"This is something that will always be in healing, will never heal. That's the that's the reality," Diaz said. "That's the the bitter truth is that the pain is always there. This makes it a little bit easier. It's difficult. Leading up to it, we kind of take a deep breath and exhale at the end of it."
17 years after Spicer’s death, community members continue to gather in Georgetown not only to remember how he died, but to ensure the life he lived and the person he was are never forgotten.
