Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Donald Sparks was shot and killed after stopping a robbery suspect at Grand Boulevard and Castleman Avenue following a grocery store robbery. The suspect, 32, was arrested several hours later by other officers. The ex-convict was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The Missouri Supreme Court awarded him a new trial and he was sentenced to life.
Survivors
Officer Sparks had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife and 9-year-old daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MO-37285084- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Sparks gave the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Louis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Sparks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Donald C. 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 MO, 516 of 813 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.5% of this state's fallen. That is 9.3 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, 112 of 176 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Donald C. Sparks's cause is highlighted.
How Donald C. Sparks Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Donald C. Sparks is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Donald C. Sparks was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
175 officers from St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
