Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-B244A722- 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
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 United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Captain Michael Lawrence Sparkes, Sr. 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Michael Lawrence Sparkes, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Michael Lawrence Sparkes, Sr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Michael Lawrence Sparkes, Sr. is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Michael Lawrence Sparkes, Sr. was killed by rifle; ak-47.