Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Capt. Sparkes,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just as a Law Enforcement Officer but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Navy as a “Tin Can Sailor”on the USS MacDonough(DDG 39). And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

Fair Winds And Following Seas

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

August 10, 2024

Hey, Mike. Just dropping by to check in on you. It has been a very long time since I visited your page, but something brought me here today. I am glad I did. I saw Deloris' message and it hit hard on the heart. She is a phenomenal woman and I am so sorry that I have not kept up with her. Either way, I thought I would let you know once again, that it is still an honor to have worked with you through our years with County Police. You will never be forgotten, neither will your family. Rest in Peace my friend and we will see each other again sometime.

Edward E. Ramos, Lieutenant
LA County Police

November 30, 2023

Rest in peace Captain Sparkes.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 17, 2022

Hello. Hi . I am a fellow brother in blue. Im familiar with this incident as i was starting my second. Career in law enforcement. It bothered. Me then and now how someone who could take someone s life and dont care. Of who families their hurting. My condolences. I want to let you know we care and you have a big extended family who cares. I know Big Mike is gone but not forgotten. He will always be in our hearts and minds. Now that I am a 16 year veteran i know what it means to be humble and dont take life for granted.

Senior State officer Shonsie Island
Exposition Park state Park Police

January 6, 2021

It has took me some time to get here. This has been so painful that I could not even see these reflections but today something got me here and I am not sure what. I knew about the page but could not bring myself to look. I have been fighting to keep myself and my family going forward. I am finally in a place that I don't break down at the very thought of what happened. I still miss my husband everyday and will always love him with a love that I have never known before or since. He was a great husband, father and friend. This man was made specifically for me and when we found each other it was a match made in Heaven. I know people say that but dont really mean it but we had a wonderful marriage and I hate that he is no longer with us but I realize it is better to have had that kind of love than to never have had felt that great feeling of having someone that truly loves you.

All the officers and friends that were there to help at the time he was taken from us, no matter what the act, thank you. All the cards, prayers, donations, kind words, etc. were appreciated and we could not have made it without each and everyone one of you.

The journey to this point has taken its toll on our family but we are getting through it. We have six grand kids now and Michael, Jr. is 24 next month and is still in college but hopefully will finish next year (he is a professional college student, lol) and over 6ft. tall. He and our daughter are both are making me proud and Big Mike would have been very proud as well (Mike, Jr. would tower over him now, Lol).

Thank you all for your comments. He once told me that he wondered if anyone would come to your funeral. He would be pleased that the turn out was much more than he could have ever imagined. I would always tell him to dont worry about that he had a lot of time left. As it turned out he really didnt but who knows that until something like this happens. I am glad to have known him and glad that he lived for his obituary because every has good things to say about him. It is ashamed that we dont know how much we are loved until after we are gone. So make sure you tell all those that you love how much they mean to you.

We love you Big Daddy!!!

Deloris Sparkes

October 30, 2020

God bless you

Nick mottola
None

August 10, 2020

Rest in peace knowing that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

August 10, 2020

RIP Captain Michael Lawrence Sparkes Sr., you will never ever be forgotten.

First Sergeant Thomas Webb, Retired.
New York State Police

January 13, 2020

Captain Sparkes,

It's so hard to believe 15 years have gone by since your death. My kids still bring you up. I was a young policeman at the time of your death. I worked for the LA County Police Department. I'm proud to have known you. Today, I work patrol out of the Lost Hills Malibu Sheriff's Station. I have not forgotten the good Captain who lost his life, but you did not give up the fight. Even though you were badly wounded by several shots of AK47 rounds in the legs, you took cover, took concealment and stayed in the game., you stayed tactical. You fired back and you had a tight shot group. You examplify what it takes to survive. You had the will to survive and you fought the fight VALIANTLY! Much love and respect to your wife, son Mike Jr, and family. They will be in my prayers. You will never be forgotten! Rest in peace Cap we got it down here, we will continue to fight the good fight!

Louis B. Lave, Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department
Lost Hills Malibu Sheriff's Station

Louis Lave, Deputy Sheriff
LASD, North Patrol Division, LHS/MAL

May 28, 2019

Okay, that was “weird.”; I was just about to post a photograph of Captain Sparkes on several of my Facebook sites, , when I heard a radio news broadcast which stated that his convicted murderer had been found dead in his prison cell.

Michael B. Parlor

April 24, 2019

April 22 2019 CDCR : Condemned Inmate Miguel Angel Magallon, 35, Dies of Unknown Causes. He was sentenced to death on Oct. 15, 2009, for the 2004 murder of Captain Michael Sparkes, Sr., of the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety.

Retired
retired

April 22, 2019

Rest In Peace Brother LEO. You are honored and remembered on the 14th anniversary of your EOW.

Officer Mike Robinson(Ret.)
Upland Police Dept. CA

August 10, 2018

You are never forgotten. RIP

Deputy Sheriff LASD
Class 295

August 10, 2016

Wow for an ealry morning bike ride and to be killed by those low life scums of Los Angeles. That guy deserved Life in prison, death penalty is the easy way out. RIP Captain.

Annonymous
Glendale Regional Public Safety Training Center

December 6, 2013

I fought hard this past year to preserve the death penalty in California. Although there is much work still to be done, we were successful and your killer still has the death penalty that he deserves.

Thinking of you with respect today and holding your family in my heart's embrace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

February 4, 2013

Captain Sparkes,

As I sit here and type this I'm in a Deputy Sheriff uniform. Los Angeles County Police Department no longer exists. But you have not been forgotten. zyour Brothers and Sisters have not forgotten one of their own.

I pray for your son and wife. May God Bless them.

I'm thankful the jury on your murder put the suspect where he belongs. He was given the death penalty.

I want to personally thank you for your service to the community and your committment.

I worked the very station and area you began your career.

I saw some very dangerous and perilous moments out there in the South Los Angeles area.

I would do it all over again... and I'm sure you would to.

Without a doubt it takes a special individual to do what we do as Policeman.

Thank you Sir!!!

Louis Lave, Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department

February 24, 2012

I worked with Sparks for approximately 2 years and it was a pleasure. He was a kind man always willing to give a young Officer advise and I will always remember you sir. I appreciate your service and sacrifice. To his family I pray your strength.

Police Officer
Barstow Police (formerly with LA County Police

August 25, 2011

Remembering when i first met you when i was a civilian at August F. Hawkins Mental Hospital, if it were not for you i would not have passed the interview to become a La. County Police Officer, i thank you for that opportunity. It still saddens me to no that you are not hear for you Family. My interaction with you was always a positive one and you will be missed by all who shared that experience with you.

Retired Officer Brenda beck
Office of Public Safety

August 24, 2011

Captain Sparkes,

I still remember your smile and the dedication you had in the organization. I just want to let people know that you were a great person and a dedicated leader.

May you continue to rest in peace as you watch us from above.

Still in my mind and heart.

Felix

P.S.- I was a former officer in this organization.

Officer Felix Huezo
Alhambra Police Department

August 15, 2011

On the 6th anniversary of Captain Sparkes' death, we honored his service in our patrol briefing by reading his entry from ODMP. Each day, we honor one fallen officer on the anniversary of their death so as to keep them in our thoughts, and also to remind us of the dangers inherent in our job. Captain Sparkes is not forgotten.

Sergeant Zach Perron
Palo Alto (CA) Police Department

August 10, 2010

Rest in Peace, Captain Sparkes. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

October 23, 2009

Dear Captain Sparkes,

You don't know me and I truly wish I had the pleasure of knowing you because you seemed like an incredible human being who left this life way too soon, but I served on the jury that convicted the coward that took your life of 1st degree murder and attempted robbery along with 2 special circumstances as well as a few allegations. It was a good day when we gave justice to your family and gave him what he deserved....today we made the decision to sentence him to death. I hope this brings some sort of closure to your family and they can finally move on from this horrible nightmare.

Anonymous

August 10, 2009

Hello Capt. Sparkes,

Although very difficult, it was an honor to testify in the penalty phase of your trial. I heard he got a death sentence over the radio while I was driving. I wish that I could of done more ten years ago to convict that coward on my shooting / assault with a deadly weapon arrest. I'm sorry. You and your family will be in my prayers Sir. God Bless You.

Sergeant Tim Milliman
LASD

August 10, 2009

Dear Mrs. Sparkes,
I am one of the jurors on the trial that ended today.
I first of all want to say how wonderful it was to meet you and to be able to hug you after it was all over. Our hearts were with you throughout the entire trial; you were a pillar of strength under enormously difficult circumstances.
We came to feel like we knew Captain Sparkes. I came to think of him as "our Captain Sparkes". What a loss to you, your son and to the community; what an amazing human being. I hope you and your family will be able to find some measure of inner peace now that the trial is over. I will always be grateful for his service and I will forever hold you in my heart and prayers.

Anonymous

August 7, 2009

Hi Mike, I just wanted to stop by and give you the news...the coward who took your life 5 years ago finally saw his day. Today, 12 fine citizens of Los Angeles County spoke on your behalf and found him GUILTY of First Degree Murder along with other special circumstances which were added to his charges....Rest In Peace my friend.

As for Officer Horton, may God bless you and the men and women of my department owe you a debt of gratitude for you were truely a hero on August 10, 2004. If it had not been for you, these cowards would have probably not met their fait. Take care my friend, for you now joined the family of the Los Angeles County Police.

Lieutenant Edward Ramos
Los Angeles County Police

July 24, 2009