Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I never met Chief Sparks. The stories I heard about him were legendary to say the least but he had a profound part in my life in law enforcement. Because of his untimely death during this robbery gone bad a vacancy was created on the Glenolden Police Dept. I was hired to fill this vacancy and every day for the next 23 years I never forgot the sacrifice of Robert G. Sparks. I truly know what it possibly meant for someone to have to go through to just get a job they wanted all their lives. Even if it meant someone else had to lose theirs. The Officer with Chief Sparks that night went on to become one of my best friends and I never knew him prior to becoming a LEO. RIP Robert G. Sparks

Patrolman Francis Hogan
Glenolden Police Department Retired

March 25, 2021

Thank you for your service Chief. Prayers to your family and friends. You are not forgotten.

Police Officer Richard Sparks
Philadelphia Police Department

October 19, 2020

Rest in peace Chief of Police Sparks.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 16, 2020

Rest in peace.

Lt. Jim Russo

March 25, 2019

A Hero in Heaven, always remembered and never forgotten.

Kim Weigand Mom of Sgt. Mike Weigand
PA C.O.P.S.

March 25, 2015

Chief Sparks, I hear alot of stories from the Glenolden community about you. How you would buy shoes for the kids and how you would stop a teenager (who had hippie long hair)for speeding, you would give them the chioce of paying the ticket or you would take them straight to the local barber and get their hair cut..I remember you when I was a youngster,,,,God Bless and Rest in Peace Uncle Bob...Your Nephew Detective Dave Tyler

Detective Dave Tyler
Chester Police (retired) Delaware County CID Detective

February 2, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 35th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya

Phyllis Loya
mother of fallen officer Larry Lasater

March 25, 2010

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

March 25, 2010

Our Prayers are with Bobby Sparks and his family. I grew up in Glenolden when Bobby Sparks was the chief. I remember the day when he was taken from us. I was a teenager and remember him as being a community person. His kindness will never be forgotten.
God Bless You
Ed Kerstetter

Ed Kerstetter

August 14, 2009

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

February 25, 2008

"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

January 15, 2008

Always in our prayers, rest in peace.

Corporal Shawn Kennedy
Glenolden Police Department

November 16, 2007

Chief, know that you will never be forgotten, especially on this day, and that you will always be known as a true hero.

Cpl/1 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police

March 25, 2007

Thank you for your many years of service and for your sacrifice, Chief.

A Citizen

May 19, 2006

I happen to be one of the lucky people to know Chief Sparks. When I was a teenager, "The Chief" was your best friend.

You see, if you happened to get into some trouble, curfew or some minor infraction, you were never cited for the violation. Chief Sparks would require you to get a short haircut (back when longer hair was popular) and for a month, meet him at the police station on Monday evenings at 6:30 PM to tell him what you did that week. If you were having trouble with a subject in school, he tried to help you. Best of all he didn't tell your parents, he tried to help everyone and recognized in our youth, mistakes are made.

If you were dumb enough to get in trouble a second time, your parents were brought into the situation and of course, there was another haircut.

Finally, the third time, you were cited and you and your parents met the Justice of the Peace.

I was fortunate enough to grow up in a town where "Bobby Sparks" was the Chief of Police. He was devoted to the community and his mother. A gentleman if there ever was one. I will never forget him because of his kindness.

J. J. Bissonette
IRS

January 8, 2006

God Bless you Officer Sparks, as all our officers on Blue live day after day they are never off duty thank you for you work and dedicatin and the sacrifice you made by protecting the citizens of Glenolden You are a hero and will never be forgotten You will be in my daily prayers. Rest now in Gods Peace and Love
Respectfully,
Kathi Halligan, Phila Pa wife/and mom of LEO

December 24, 2005

Thank you and God bless you, Chief Sparks, for your noble service and sacrifice so that others may live safer lives. You lived a hero's life. You will always be remembered by your brothers and sisters in blue. Rest in heavenly peace, Chief.

Deputy Sheriff Karl C. Gwynne
Pinellas County Sheriff's Office, FL

April 4, 2005

Chief Sparks....no fallen officer on the ODMP should be without a reflection. Thank you for your service & God bless.

Special Agent Dennis Duncan
Norfolk Southern Railway Police

March 23, 2004