Copland Classic

Visit the TPD

Visit the TPD

Officer Constantine G. "Gus" Spanos

Officer Constantine G. "Gus" SpanosDied April 23, 1993 as a result of a gunshot wound he received during an early morning car stop on April 22. About 1:48 a.m., Officer Spanos stopped a car at 5800 N. Cincinnati Ave. His backing officer found him lying next to his patrol unit with a bullet wound to the head. He was transported to the hospital where he died at 12:26 p.m. the following day. The driver of the suspect vehicle fled the state but was eventually apprehended, convicted, and sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of Officer Spanos.
Click to hear audio (opens in a new window)

Comments  

 
#4 Bill Mauerman 2020-05-15 17:08
I went to school with Gus at TU. Most of the football players were pretty full of themselves and wouldn't give us 'commoners' the time of day. But not Gus; he was so friendly. I still remember talking with him in the TU parking lot around the time I graduated like it was yesterday. I lost track of him after that, and was saddened to hear about his murder in the line of duty when it hit the news 3 years later.

The TPD oath of office ends with "WITH MY LIFE, if need be". Most of the time it seems like those are just words. Unfortunately, Gus was one of the officers who showed us that those are not just words but have real meaning.
Quote | Report to administrator
 
 
#3 Gary Fink 2016-09-19 17:10
I never met Gus but have been a friend of his Dad and Mom for a number of years. I have been retired from Law Enforcement and am aware of the dangerous situations the officers face. My prayers go out to the memory of "Gus" and to his wonderful parents, family and friends.
Quote | Report to administrator
 
 
#2 Thomas Rutowski Jr 2015-02-16 17:16
I am a cop from Pittsburgh area who grew up in NYC. One day a stop a nice older man for a traffic violation. He has an old beat up FOP logo on his car. I ask why, with a small soft voice he said my son was killed in the line of duty. No others words were needed! A few months later I am reading Dennis Byrd's book & there is the story. I work one city over from where Gus grew up in Dormont. I am thankful for my interaction with his dad & told him I would not let anyone forget Gus. Til this day, I make Gus live with all my trainee's. WE REMEMBER
Quote | Report to administrator
 
 
#1 Jim Chambers 2014-07-31 19:17
This story comes back to me as I read about it. It makes my eyes watery and tear up to see the picture of Officer Spanos. I feel that TPD surely lost one of their finest with the loss of Officer Spanos. He impressed me as being the epitome of one of Tulsa's Finest. My heart is heavy and still goes out to his family.

The foul words that I would like to use to describe my feelings of this low-life perp that committed this heinous senseless murder are not printable in this column
Quote | Report to administrator
 

Add comment

Posting here is a privilege and we reserve the right to delete comments. Please be respectful.

Security code
Refresh

| + - | RTL - LTR