“We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those that would do us harm.”

--George Orwell, from the memorial program of Johnny Micheal Spann

11 December 2001

“All is Well. Safely rest. God is Nigh.”

Statement by CIA Spokesman Bill Harlow on the public acknowledgment of a CIA officer killed in the line of duty

The protection of sources, methods, and the identities of officers serving under cover is essential to the Agency and we go to great lengths to preserve operational security.  Over the years, however, when circumstances permit, the CIA has publicly identified Agency officers who have been killed in the line of duty. There are currently 78 stars etched on CIA’s Memorial Wall for Agency employees who have died in the line of duty, and of those, fully 43 have been identified publicly and are included in CIA’s Book of Honor. Of those 43 brave Americans, more than 30 served in the Directorate of Operations, the Agency’s clandestine service. Among the heroes named in the Book of Honor are Richard Welch, the CIA official assassinated in Athens in 1975, and William F. Buckley, the Agency officer who was tortured and died in captivity in Beirut in 1985. When an officer under cover dies in the line of duty and there is no capability or reason to preserve their anonymity their names have been released.

As Director of Central Intelligence George J. Tenet has said, Johnny Micheal Spann was an American hero, a man who showed passion for his country and his Agency through his selfless courage. The circumstances surrounding his service at the CIA and his tragic death were such that his entire chain of command concurred that his name could be released without compromising security or any current intelligence activities. Moreover, the Spann family strongly supported the decision to publicly acknowledge Mike’s affiliation with the Agency and concurred with the text of our public announcement before it was released.
It also is worth noting that several media organizations published Mr. Spann’s name and affiliation with the Agency before his body had been recovered and death had been confirmed. Others had staked out the Spann family home prior to the Agency’s announcement, which was not made until after the body was recovered.

We may never be able to reveal the name of every CIA officer who dies in the line of duty. We will remain silent when we must but we will honor the names publicly when we can.

Johnny Micheal Spann was a true patriot whose heroic contributions to keeping America safe and free deserve the public’s recognition and gratitude.

Statement by George J. Tenet, Director of Central Intelligence, on the death of a CIA officer in Afghanistan

November 28, 2001

It is my sad duty to announce that one of our officers at the Central Intelligence Agency has died in the line of duty in Afghanistan. 

Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann, who worked in the Directorate of Operations, was where he wanted to be: on the front lines serving his country. 

Given the nature of the CIA's mission, I can publicly discuss his activities and the circumstances surrounding his death only in broad terms. 



Mike was in the fortress of Mazar-e Sharif, where Taliban prisoners were being held and questioned. Although these captives had given themselves up, their pledge of surrender-like so many other pledges from the vicious group they represent-proved worthless. 

Their prison uprising--which had murder as its goal--claimed many lives, among them that of a very brave American, whose body was recovered just hours ago. 



Mike joined CIA in June 1999. A young man-only 32 years old-he was no stranger to challenge or daring. He came to us from the United States Marine Corps, whose traditions he loved and whose values of courage and commitment he carried with him to the end. 



Quiet, serious, and absolutely unflappable, Mike's stoicism concealed a dry sense of humor and a heart of gold. His brand of leadership was founded not on words, but on deeds-deeds performed in conditions of hazard and hardship. 

His was a career of promise in a life of energy and achievement. A precious life given in a noble cause. Mike fell bringing freedom to a distant people while defending freedom for all of us here at home. 



Mike Spann was an American hero, a man who showed passion for his country and his Agency through his selfless courage. Mike Spann will live forever in our memories. May God grant him eternal peace and give his wonderful family the strength to carry on. 



His CIA family, too, is in mourning. But just as we grieve together, we work together to continue the mission that Mike Spann held sacred. And so we will continue our battle against evil-with renewed strength and spirit. 

We owe that to Mike and to every man and woman who dreams of a future free of the menace of terrorism. 



Johnny Micheal "Mike" Spann was the husband of Shannon Spann, and is survived by his infant son, two young daughters, and two sisters. He was the son of Johnny and Gail Spann of Winfield, Alabama.




Learn more about the life of Johnny Micheal Spann at www.honormikespann.org.