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Michael Lawrence Sparkes Sr.
Incident
Captain Michael Sparkes was shot and killed when he identified himself and attempted to take action against two suspects as they attempted to rob him while he was off duty.
Captain Sparkes was taking an early morning bike ride when he was confronted by the two gang members near Redondo Beach Boulevard and Avalon Boulevard in Rosewood at approximately 5:35 am. One of the suspects was armed with an AK-47 rifle. Shots were exchanged between Captain Sparkes and the suspects. Despite being mortally wounded, Captain Sparkes was able to give responding officers a description of the two suspects.
Captain Sparkes was transported to Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, where he succumbed to his wounds. Coincidentally, Captain Sparkes was assigned to the hospital and was in charge of police and security operations on the hospital campus.
One of the suspects was arrested a short time later after being stopped for a traffic violation by a Los Angeles police officer. The second suspect, who was wounded in the exchange of gunfire, was taken into custody after seeking treatment at a hospital.
The subject who shot Captain Sparkes was sentenced to death. He died in prison on April 22nd, 2019, while awaiting the sentence to be carried out.
Captain Sparkes was a United States Navy veteran and had served with the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety for 30 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, young son, and adult stepdaughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Michael is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Captain Sparkes gave the Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety 30 years.
Thank you for your service to the Downey community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Michael Lawrence Sparkes Sr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Michael is the only officer of Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety remembered here.
Michael is one of 974 officers killed feloniously in CA, 53% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Michael is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2004, 7 officers in CA were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 163 years on record. The heaviest was 1970, with 24.
In 2004, 79 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 86th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2004, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 83rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Michael was 53. Of the 905 killed feloniously in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 43; the middle age was 35. Michael had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 53. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Michael was 53. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Michael had served 30 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
August holds 9% of these deaths in CA; October holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 12%.
August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
August holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Los Angeles County Office of Public Safety. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle; ak-47, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
Michael Lawrence Sparkes Sr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Michael Lawrence Sparkes Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
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Also Remembered
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