Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Chief Sparks,
On today, the 75th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Oxford. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

May 7, 2023

Another year has passed and you are still admired and respectfully remembered in the hearts and minds of so many. My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends on this anniversary of your EOW. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

May 7, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

May 7, 2008

though i was very young when this event happened, i remember it clearly. a cousin and i were playing in the front yard of my grandparents home when the shot rang out. it happened in front of cobb's grocrery store on barry street. it was a sad time for our small community.

jim shears
friend

August 10, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

July 23, 2007

On the anniversary of his death, we pause to honor and remember Chief Sparks and acknowledge the ultimate sacrifice he paid.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to his survivors.

May he never be forgotten

Major D.W. Warren
Montgomery Police Dept. - Montgomery, AL

May 8, 2007

CHIEF SPARKS, TODAY 59 YEARS AGO YOU LEFT US. TODAY 59 YEARS LATER, YOU ARE NOT FORGOTTEN. NOR WILL YOU EVER BE. MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND MAY YOU REST IN PEACE. A HERO FOR SURE. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

May 7, 2007

Rest in Peace, Officer Sparks. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 30, 2006

Rest in peace Officer Sparks.

Officer Kevin Turley
Jacksonville Police Department (Alabama)