Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

The members of the Royal Palm Beach Police Department wish to extend our deepest sympathies to the family, coworkers, and friends of Captain Michael Sparkes. He has fought the good fight and has now gone to his reward. Many of our brothers and sisters are gone, but none are ever forgotten.

Sergeant T. E. Murphy
Royal Palm Beach, Fl. P. D.

August 16, 2004

god bless you and your family...

skip roberson

August 16, 2004

BUFFALO, NEW YORK

DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE
OFFICERS WISH TO SEND OUR CONDOLENCES.
OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH
CAPTAIN SPARKES, HIS FAMILY AND CO-
WORKERS.

GOD BLESS...

PO ERNEST G. PENN
DEPT. OF VETERANS AFFAIRS POLICE

August 16, 2004

MAY GOD BLESS YOU, YOUR FAMILY AND TOWN, MAY GOD GIVE YOU THE STRENTH YOU NEED.

911 DISPATCHER
GARRARD/LANCASTER 911

August 16, 2004

May God bless your family, friends, department, and community. All of which lost a true hero. Now Captain Sparkes is protecting the heavans just as he protect his community.

Deputy Sheriff
Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff

August 15, 2004

Rest in Peace Brother. Never surrender, never give up. You died because you didn't lay down and give these vermin what they wanted. You are a hero.

August 15, 2004

Mrs Sparkes. May God bless you and your children during this difficult time. To the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety we mourn your loss.

Brother, may God bless you. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten.

Special Agent
FBI New York

August 15, 2004

My deepest thoughts go to your family, friends, and co-workers during this difficult time....
I wish I could have been there to you help you at that fateful moment. Thank you for your many years of service.
Salute.

P.O.-Michigan

August 15, 2004

to the family of cpt sparkes, my deepest respects for your loss. he led by example w/ many years of devoted service. i too, exercise in the morning w/ long runs and this event hits home as well. many times i could have been caught off guard and vulnerable but the man upstairs continued to look after me after each run. cpt sparkes is now securing the heavens above for all of us awaiting our final journey to draw nearer to thee....
calvin graham (east/b)
officer,mnpd

po2 graham
mpd

August 15, 2004

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for you service.

shannon
concerned citizen (Mississippi)

August 15, 2004

God Bless you Brother

Chesterfield County Police Dept., VA

August 15, 2004

May God bless you and your family. Thank you for your service and courage. Know that these animals will pay the ulimate price when they meet their maker.

Patrolman
City of Warrenville Police, IL

August 15, 2004

To Cpt. Sparkes family, friends, and the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety. I would like to extend my condolences and deepest sympathy. My thoughts and prays are with you all. Thanks Cpt. Sparkes for a job well done; may your soul rest in peace.

Patrol Officer
Prince George's County, Maryland

August 15, 2004

The policeman stood and faced God,
Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining,
Just as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, policeman.
How shall I deal with you?
Have you always turned the other cheek?
To my church have you been true?"

The policeman squared his shoulders and said,
"No lord, I guess I ain't,
Because those of us who carry a badge
can't always be a saint."

I've had to work most Sundays,
and at times my talk was rough,
and sometimes I've been violent,
Because the streets are awfully tough.

But I never took a penny,
That wasn't mine to keep
Though I worked a lot of overtime
When the bills got just too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help,
Though at time I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me,
I've wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place
Among the people here.
They never wanted me around
Except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord,
It needn't be so grand.
I never expected or had too much,
But if you don't I'll understand.

There was a silence all around the throne
Where the saints had often trod.
As the policeman waited quietly,
For the judgement of his god.

"Step forward now, policeman,
You've born your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's streets,
You've done your time in hell"

GREGG HOUSTON
SOUTH CAROLINA

August 15, 2004

My fiance, Dennis McElderry, was the first law enforcement casualty of 2003. Dennis died doing a job he loved, just as I'm sure Michael did. It saddens me to know that Dennis was not the first to die in the line of duty, nor will he and Michael be the last to die this way.

Having gone through the pain of losing Dennis I can truly understand and feel the pain that Captain Sparkes' family, friends, and co-workers must be feeling. My heart goes out to you all, especially to his wife. No one can truly understand the pain of our loss until they've walked in our shoes. I wish I could give you a few words of wisdom to help you through this tough time, but there isn't anything I can really say or do to make the situation better. Just know that my thoughts are with you.

Please accept my condolences on behalf of the McElderry family and remember that Michael is part of huge law enforcement family. If you ever need anything any number of them will be there for you (as I've quickly found out!) From reading the many reflections posted here, I am certain Michael was well respected and well loved.

Thank you Captain Sparkes for a job well done and for helping to make this world a safer place for us all. Please say "hello" to my fiance Dennis for me.

Peace, Love, Luck, and Happiness!

Jocelyne Brar (Winnipeg, MB Canada)
Fiancee of Deputy Sheriff Dennis Ray McElderry - EOW (01/03/03)

August 15, 2004

Rest in peace Brother Michael, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service and courage. '


Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

August 15, 2004

God bless you and your family. You will never be forgotten as a hero in our eyes. You are truly in a better place now.

Police Officer
Tampa Police Department

August 15, 2004

Capt. Sparkes, Rest Easy Brother, your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Dep. Paul Sperandeo
Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office, La.

August 15, 2004

My family would like to send our heartfelt sympathies to the family, friends, & fellow co-workers of Captain Michael Sparkes.
You're in our thoughts and prayers. May God watch over all the brave men and women in law
enforcement who put their lives on the line everyday as they serve & protect their communitites.
Your job is a difficult one and we truly appreciate all you do. God bless each & everyone of you.

Gail M Pabst
Aunt of fallen detroit P.O. Jennifer Fettig eow 2-16-04

August 14, 2004

30 years of service or 3 days of service... none of us know when we may face the ultimate test. When and if that time comes, may we all face it with the same courage and clarity as the good Captain did. Condolences to the Sparkes family and all his fellow officers.

MCY947
Suffolk County PD, Highway Patrol

August 14, 2004

May your service and dedication never go un-noticed. Go BLUE!

Z. A. Davis
Son of Officer K.L.Davis EOW 05-11-1995

August 14, 2004

I'm deeply sadded about the loss of someone who can proudly be called a hero. I wish there was something I could say that could ease the families pain. There are no words that can adequately express the sorrow. I'm praying for the strenght of God to support and console you in this most difficult time. May God Bless you, and your entire family.

Teresa Goss
ShaDco, Jacksonville, Fl

August 14, 2004

To the family of Captain Sparkes and the men and women of the Los Angeles County Police,

Captain Sparkes was a fine example of the hard work and dedication of my fellow officers on the department.

I truly know he will be missed, and he died very tragically.

I extend the deepest condolences to his family and his fellow officers at the Harbor Station.

Police Officer Louis Lave
Los Angeles County Police/ Office of Public Safety

August 14, 2004

Take care and God bless sir. We will make sure that you are not forgotten and that the animals who did this to you will not go unpunished.

Deputy Sheriff
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Departent

August 14, 2004

We extend our deepest sorrow to the family and friends of Captain Sparkes.

PO S.HARRIS
CICERO PD GANG/TACTICAL UNIT

August 14, 2004