Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Please remember the fallen officers we have lost. Remember the men and women who died trying to make this world a safer and better place for us all to live in. Thank you Captain Sparkes for a job well done. Please continue to watch over us and protect us as only you can. You will forever be at our side and in our hearts.

For those of you who still have loved ones with us please take the time to tell them how much you appreciate and care about them.

IF I KNEW

If I knew it would be the last time
That I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly
and pray the Lord, your soul to keep.

If I knew it would be the last time
that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss
and call you back for one more.

If I knew it would be the last time
I'd hear your voice lifted up in praise,
I would video tape each action and word,
so I could play them back day after day.

If I knew it would be the last time,
I could spare an extra minute
to stop and say "I love you,"
instead of assuming you would KNOW I do.

If I knew it would be the last time
I would be there to share your day,
Well I'm sure you'll have so many more,
so I can let just this one slip away.

For surely there's always tomorrow
to make up for an oversight,
and we always get a second chance
to make everything just right.

There will always be another day
to say "I love you,"
And certainly there's another chance
to say our "Anything I can do?"

But just in case I might be wrong,
and today is all I get,
I'd like to say how much I love you
and I hope we never forget.

Tomorrow is not promised to anyone,
young or old alike,
And today may be the last chance
you get to hold your loved one tight.

So if you're waiting for tomorrow,
why not do it today?
For if tomorrow never comes,
you'll surely regret the day,

That you didn't take that extra time
for a smile, a hug, or a kiss
and you were too busy to grant someone,
what turned out to be their one last wish.

So hold your loved ones close today,
and whisper in their ear,
Tell them how much you love them
and that you'll always hold them dear

Take time to say "I'm sorry,"
"Please forgive me," "Thank you," or "It's okay."
And if tomorrow never comes,
you'll have no regrets about today.

August 28, 2004

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

August 22, 2004

Captain Sparkes will be truly missed by all of us. My prayers are with his family.

Ofcr. McKelvy
Los Angeles County Police

August 21, 2004

Captain Michael Sparks was a man of strong character and upstanding morals. I knew Capt. Sparks for over 14 years and was always impressed with his expert knowledge of law enforcement and friendly demeanor. He had a great sense of humor and was a strong family man dedicated to his job and family. i will greatly miss Capt. Sparks, but am assured that he is in heaven rejoicing with the Lord. All my thoughts and prayers to his family and loved ones.

Marcus Castro

Marcus Castro
Office of Affirmative Action Compliance

August 19, 2004

God Bless the family, friends and colleagues of Capt. Sparkes in their time of sadness. May he rest in peace.

Lydia Ambrose
Wife of Burbank, CA Police Officer

August 19, 2004

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.

Police officer T. Robinson
DALLAS COUNTY HOSPITAL POLICE

August 18, 2004

Captain Sparkes was more than a co-worker, he was someone I am proud to say was my friend. I will never forget his quick smile and hearty laugh. I will also never forget the courageous manner in which he fought back. Mike, I know you're watching over all of us, we have it from here, we will continue the fight...we will never forget, I will never forget.

Assistant Chief William Nash
Los County Police

August 18, 2004

“When God made Peace Officers….”

When the lord was creating Peace Officers, he was into his sixth day of overtime when an angel appeared and said, “You’re doing a lot of fiddling around on this one.”

And the Lord said, Have you read the spec on this order? A Peace Officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, enter homes the health inspector wouldn’t touch, and not wrinkle their uniform.

They have to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stakeout, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses, and testify in court the next day.

They have to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half- eaten meals. And they have to have six pairs of hands.

The angel shook her head slowly and said, “Six pairs of hands….No Way.”

“It’s not the hands that are causing me the problems,” said the Lord, “It’s the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have.”

That’s on the standard model? asked the angel.

The Lord nodded. One pair that sees through a bulge in a pocket before he asks, “May I see what’s in there sir?” (When they already know and wishes they had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of their head for their partners’ safety. And another pair of eyes here in front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say, “ You’ll be alright ma’am, when they know it isn’t so.”

“Lord,” said the angel, touching his sleeve,” rest and work tomorrow.”

“I can’t,” said the Lord, “I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on civil service paycheck.”

The angel circled the model of the Peace Officer very slowly, “Can it think?” she asked.

“You bet,” said the Lord, “It can tell you elements of a hundred crimes, recite Miranda warnings in it’s sleep; detain, investigate, search, and arrest a gang member on the street in less time than it takes five judges to debate the legality of the stop…and still it keeps it’s sense of humor.

This officer also has phenomenal personal control. They can deal with crime scenes painted in HELL, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim’s family’ and then read in the daily paper how Law Enforcement isn’t sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects.

Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Peace Officer. “There’s a leak,” she pronounced. “I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model.”

“That’s not a leak,” said the Lord, “It’s a tear.”

“What’s the tear for?” asked the angel.

“It’s for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice.”

“You’re a genius,” said the angel.

The Lord looked sober. “I didn’t put it there,” he said.


Anonymous

Senior Instructor
Federal Law Enforcement Training Center

August 18, 2004

God bless you Captain Sparkes, rest in peace.

Ofc. G Watts
SFPD-Tenderloin Task Foece

August 18, 2004

To the family, friends, and co-workers of Capt. Michael Sparkes. My deepest heartfelt sympathy for such a good boss, family man and religious man. You will be missed my many, but not forgotten at all. We will always remember that chuckle and smile you always had. You are greatly missed--The Capt Angel in the sky-John 14:1-7

Maticia Givings, Dispatcher
Los Angeles County Police

August 17, 2004

God bless you and your family. Our prayers are with you. See you in roll call, sir.

Officer M. Mendoza
Los Angeles School Police Department

August 17, 2004

My thoughts are with your family and colleagues, it is so heart wrenching to know that you were so near to the end of your service and now it has been taken away, although you and your Police Service are some distance away from London, you are remembered.

Phill Davies Police Sargent
Metropolitain Police, London

August 17, 2004

My prayers are with you, your family, and your department.

Ofc. S.L. Coffman #15174
California Highway Patrol

August 17, 2004

TO: The family; loved ones; friends and department members: A POLICE OFFICER’S PRAYER : O, gentle Lord! Keep the day / night watch with me. As I begin my tour of duty, I ask your protection from all mental, physical and spiritual harm. Sustain me with the knowledge that I am doing your work, endeavoring to keep peace among your people. Help me to be just as I enforce the law without prejudice or favor to anyone. May I be courageous but not reckless in carrying out my duties. Let me respond to all calls with haste realizing that so many are dependent on me for life and safety. Support me with your consoling power when I am tempted to think that no one really cares and that I am taken for granted. Sustain in me the conviction that so many thousands do care and are grateful for my presence. Grant that I may be loyal to my partner and my fellow officers, and that I may back them up effectively when called upon for assistance. Lord, I ask that I may return safely, after my tour of duty, to my loved ones and those who love me. I pray that I may be a good and honorable police officer; and after my tour of duty is over here on earth, may I enjoy the peace and happiness of heaven that you have promised to those who serve you well. AMEN. ** REST IN PEACE** Sent to you by the father of Master Officer J.D.Koeppen, Capital City Raleigh NC; Trooper D.C. Koeppen, NJ State Police and Cadet Officer A.M. Koeppen Wilmington N.C.

Chief ( retired ) Douglas A. Koeppen
Washington New Jersey

August 17, 2004

Captain Sparkes,

My Brother Rest in Peace, I will be praying for your family and the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety. I look forward to the day we all meet at roll call, until then watch over us from above. GODSPEED....

Officer
NC

August 17, 2004

We are sincerely saddened at Mike's loss.
--------------------------------------
We all recall you gave your best.
You did your job, now you can rest.
Your comrades now can cover your post
as you take your place with the Heavenly Host.

God Bless Our Fallen Brothers & Sisters.
---------------------------------------
Our prayers will be with you, your family, and co-workers!

Ptlm. P.K. Harding
Binghamton (NY) P.D.

August 17, 2004

My deepest sympathy to Capt. Michael's family. I know the grief and total devastation you are experiencing as I lost my son Mike on 6/6/04. Capt Mike is now on patrol with my son Mike. The Capt will be in my prayers.

Asst Chief Robert Gordon (Ret)
Riverside PD, IL

August 17, 2004

Bless you Brother and thank you for your faithfulness and dedication to duty above and beyond the call. You rest now among Heroes of Heroes. Be assured your loved ones are not alone for we are but a phone call away.

Bob Johnson VA-VI

Bob Johnson U.S. Marshal's (Ret'd)
Blue Knights International Police Assn.

August 16, 2004

I would like to extend my condolences to Captain Sparkes' family and friends, and to the men and women of the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety. My thoughts and prayers are with you all during this time of tragedy. Rest in peace Captain Sparkes, your duty here is done.

Deputy Sheriff
Butte County Sheriff's Office

August 16, 2004

Today we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Captain Sparkes. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

August 16, 2004

God bless the family of Captain Sparkes. My prayers are with the family, friends and co-workers of Captain Sparkes.

Jen
Gallup Police Department

August 16, 2004

Thank you for your years of service. I pray for peace, strength, and comfort for your family and friends. "Go rest high on the mountain, your work on earth is done!"

D/Sgt. Vencent Woods
State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality

August 16, 2004

ALL of our Officers, both Civilian and Military, are grieving over the lose of Captain Sparkes. Condolences and prayers for his loved ones, Police family, and Friends. Captain Sparkes....you did, "Protect and Serve". All of us thank you for your commitment. What a MENTOR. We, (all Police Officers), know why you responded with dedication.

Detective
NAVAL WEAPONS STATION, CHARLESTON, SC

August 16, 2004

On behalf of the men and women of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Industry Station, our heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and co-workers of Captain Michael Sparkes. Having recently lost Deputy Michael Arruda (EOW 06-15-04), we know all too well the pain and reality of losing one of our own.

Take comfort from knowing your extended law enforcement family is grieving with you.

God bless.

Industry Sheriff's Station
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

August 16, 2004

To the family, co-workers and friends of Cpt. Sparkes: May God bless and keep you. You are in our prayers always.
SRO Unit
Johnson City, TN Police

SRO Practitioner Gary W. Willis
Johnson City, TN Police

August 16, 2004