• Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact
No Result
View All Result
Law Officer
Law Officer
No Result
View All Result

Convicted cop-killer dies by suicide in prison

Seth Brandon Spangler was convicted of murdering Det. Kristen Hearne

Seth Brandon Spangler

Seth Brandon Spangler (Image via The Standard Journal)

December 2, 2022
Law OfficerbyLaw Officer
Share and speak up for justice, law & order...

GROVETOWN, Ga. – Seth Brandon Spangler was convicted of murdering Polk County Police Department Det. Kristen Hearne during an ambush in 2017. He died by suicide in prison on Thanksgiving, according to his attorney.

Spangler was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in March as a result of Hearne’s murder. She was 29-year-old at the time of her death on Sept. 29, 2017, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

The convicted cop-killer agreed to a plea in order to avoid the death penalty, according to The Polk County Standard Journal.

In 2017, LAPD HQ was among many allied agencies offering condolences following Hearne’s death.

An officer, wife & mother. Detective Kristen Hearne from Polk County, GA tragically shot & killed today. Our hearts go out to her loved ones pic.twitter.com/kwUV9jW0XP

— LAPD HQ (@LAPDHQ) September 30, 2017

The following overview was provide In Memoriam of Det. Hearne on the Officer Down Memorial Page:

Detective Kristen Hearne was shot and killed as she and another officer responded to reports of a stolen vehicle at the intersection of Highway 100 and Santa Claus Road.

As the officers arrived at the location, they were ambushed by a male subject. Detective Hearne, who was not wearing a vest, was fatally wounded. The second officer was struck in the vest and was wounded.

A female subject was taken into custody at the scene. The male subject fled the scene but was arrested a short time later after a massive manhunt and charged with murder. In March 2022, the male subject pleaded guilty, avoiding the death penalty, and was sentenced to life in prison without parole. In November 2022, he committed suicide.

Detective Hearne served in law enforcement for 10 years. Her tenure included the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department and later the Polk County Police Department for five years. She is survived by her husband and 3-year-old son, her parents, brothers, stepmother, and grandparents.

Spangler’s attorney, Jerry Word, confirmed that Spangler killed himself in prison on Nov. 24.

“What we don’t know is why someone on suicide watch was still able to kill themselves in the Augusta State Prison,” Word told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The Georgia Department of Corrections (DOC) did not confirm that Spangler died by suicide, although they confirmed his death.

“Details of the death are under investigation, as standard procedure, therefore we have no additional details to provide,” DOC Spokesperson Joan Heath said.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) will conduct Spangler’s autopsy.


Share and speak up for justice, law & order...
Tags: GeorgiaKristen HearnePolk County Sheriff's OfficeSeth Brandon Spangler
Law Officer

Law Officer

Law Officer is the only major law enforcement publication and website owned and operated by law enforcement—for law enforcement and supporters of justice, law, and order. This unique facet makes Law Officer much more than just a publishing company, but a true advocate for the law enforcement profession.

Related Posts

Georgia police

Georgia police now livestreaming 911 calls straight to patrol units

February 4, 2023
Clarence CJ Williams

Georgia officer dies from medical emergency during foot chase

January 30, 2023
Jacob Kersey

Georgia police officer pressured to resign over religious comments on marriage

January 29, 2023
Zachary Zulock William Zulock

Georgia men indicted on multiple counts of child sex crimes perpetrated against their adopted boys

January 21, 2023
California officer

Thieves receive ride to jail after calling 911 during burglary while hoping for lift to airport

January 8, 2023
Source: Savannah Police

Savannah Police Add Therapy Dog to Behavioral Health Unit

January 6, 2023
Load More

Latest Articles

Aiden Fucci

Teenage killer pleads guilty to stabbing girl 114 times

February 6, 2023
dead woman

‘Dead’ woman discovered breathing at New York funeral home

February 6, 2023
Tremaine Jackson

Terminated Arizona DPS trooper sent to prison for sex related offenses during traffic stops

February 6, 2023
John Michael Musbach

New Jersey man pleads guilty to hiring hitman to murder 14-year-old witness in child porn case

February 5, 2023
South Carolina deputies

South Carolina deputies fatally shoot suspect after he stabbed police K9 during service of arrest warrant

February 5, 2023
Noah David Beard

Gang members with ‘cartel affiliations’ arrested in massacre of 6 at California home

February 5, 2023
Load More

Weekly E-Newsletter

Subscribe—and get the latest news and editorials direct from Law Officer each week!

[newsletter_form type="minimal"]

JOIN THE FIGHT

BE COURAGEOUS

FIND MORE…

Law Officer

© 2021 LawOfficer.com

LawOfficer.com

  • Home
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Privacy Policy
  • Corrections
  • Contact

Speak up for justice, law & order

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • About
    • Authors
  • Articles
    • Archives
    • Chaplain
    • Crime & Controversy
    • Community
    • Cop Humor
    • Editorial
    • Op-ed
    • Gear & Technology
    • Investigations
    • Laws & Legal
    • Leadership
    • News
    • Officer Down
    • On Duty
    • Tactics
  • Network
    • Illinois Network
    • Minneapolis Network
    • Tulsa Network
    • Wauwatosa Network
    • Learn more
  • Training
  • Officer Privacy
  • Jobs
  • Contact

© 2021 LawOfficer.com