Roll of Honor
Charles Tanner Sparks
Incident
Deputy U.S. Marshal Charles Sparks was shot and killed near Belgreen, Alabama, while attempting to arrest two brothers wanted for illicit distilling.
He had received a tip that the brothers were hiding near a syrup mill and organized a posse to arrest them. They had arrested one of the brothers but the second fled and setup an ambush. As Deputy Marshal Sparks pursued him the man opened fire, killing him.
The man was later acquitted by a grand jury.
Deputy Marshal Sparks was survived by his wife, three children, parents, and six siblings.
Survivors
Deputy Marshal Sparks was survived by his wife, three children, parents, and six siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FED-8396F39F- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
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Deputy U.S. Marshal Sparks served with the United States Department of Justice.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy U.S. Marshal Charles Tanner Sparks is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, 251 of 313 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80.2% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles Tanner Sparks's cause is highlighted.
How Charles Tanner Sparks Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles Tanner Sparks is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
312 officers from United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
