Ed Spencer: A Legendary Spokesperson
Ed Spencer, a longtime spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department, has died after a brief battle with liver cancer, family members and friends confirmed.
Nephew Jeffrey Liles said that Spencer had “entered hospice care” shortly before he died on Aug. 18.
Spencer was diagnosed with liver cancer in mid-July, according to Jason Sickles, a longtime friend of Spencer and a former police reporter for The Dallas Morning News. Spencer would have turned 79 in September.
For over 30 years, Spencer served as a spokesperson for both the Dallas Police Department and, later, the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department.
Breaking News
Sickles said Spencer’s tenure with DPD lasted from 1971 to 1998 and through nine different police chiefs. Spencer worked in the Dallas sheriff’s office from 1998 to 2002.
Early Career
Spencer worked as a newspaper reporter before he began his career with DPD, reporting for the Denton Record-Chronicle and the Dallas Times Herald.
He also worked as a freelance writer for several national hunting and fishing magazines.
Sickles said Spencer was the kind of person who treated reporters as people as well as professionals.
A Face of the Department
“Ed was the face of the department during some really newsworthy years,” Sickles said. “A lot of people will remember him for being the face for Dallas Police Department.”
Several reporters who knew Spencer shared positive memories about him.
“It should have been very easy to view Ed as some kind of hack to get past when I covered the DPD,” said Todd Copilevitz, who also worked at The News. “But Ed was the consummate gentleman, and it became the highlight of my day to sit in his office and dig into the latest events. I miss those days.”
Said Christopher Lee, a former metro reporter for The News in the post: “It was clear that he understood his job and yours. And he took time to get to know you and talk to you as a person.”
Notable Moments
Spencer was at the forefront of sharing updates with news reporters following the arrest of former Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Michael Irvin for drug possession, said Liles.
“I was proud to be his nephew, and he was the rock of our family,” he said. “Rest in peace, Uncle Ed.”
Former Dallas police Chief Bill Rathburn said in an email to Sickles that he spoke with Spencer three weeks before he died.
“I really appreciated the opportunity to thank him again for all the support and assistance he gave me when I was with DPD,” Rathburn wrote. “He was always so encouraging, and his knowledge and guidance were invaluable to the success we achieved. He was an invaluable part of the DPD management team for many years, and it was my great pleasure to have known him and worked so closely with him.”
Legacy
Spencer is survived by his wife, Mary; a son, Thomas Spencer; a daughter, Amy Hammer; a sister, Suzanne; three grandchildren, James, Mia, and Edwin Sammy; and a dog, Buster. A memorial date has not yet been set.
Conclusion
Ed Spencer was a legendary spokesperson who served the Dallas Police Department and the Dallas County Sheriff’s Department for over 30 years. His dedication, professionalism, and kindness earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues, reporters, and the community. His legacy will be remembered for years to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What was Ed Spencer’s role in the Dallas Police Department?
A: Ed Spencer was a longtime spokesperson for the Dallas Police Department, serving from 1971 to 1998.
Q: What was the cause of Ed Spencer’s death?
A: Ed Spencer died after a brief battle with liver cancer.
Q: How old was Ed Spencer when he died?
A: Ed Spencer was 78 years old when he died, just a few weeks before his 79th birthday.
Q: Who survived Ed Spencer?
A: Ed Spencer is survived by his wife, Mary; a son, Thomas Spencer; a daughter, Amy Hammer; a sister, Suzanne; three grandchildren, James, Mia, and Edwin Sammy; and a dog, Buster.
