Officer Speth succumbed to gunshot wounds on Friday, January 26, 1917, received the previous day when he attempted to remove a man from his hotel room. He had been ordered to escort the man to the police station to answer questions regarding a fraud investigation. The man refused to leave his room and shot Officer Speth when he forcefully tried to make him go. Officer Speth was able to return fire, as well as other officers arriving on the scene, seriously wounding the suspect.

The suspect was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 17 years in prison. He was pardoned by Governor N.E. Kendall on October 1, 1921.

Officer Speth was 42 years old and has served the Davenport Police Department for 12 years. He was survived by his wife and eight children.

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