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Incident
Sheriff John Sparks was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest at a downtown Cullman apartment at the corner of East 1st Avenue and 3rd Street.
He and the Cullman police chief had gone to the apartment in search of a suspect. When they arrived at the location, a female refused to let them. Sheriff Sparks cut his way through a screen door and was confronted by the suspect when he entered the apartment.
Sheriff Sparks and the suspect both told each other to drop their weapons, and then immediately fired at each other. The suspect was killed instantly and Sheriff Sparks was mortally wounded. He was able to walk to a local drug store where he died approximately one hour later.
Sheriff Sparks had been sworn in as sheriff only six months earlier and had served in law enforcement for over five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Sparks gave the Cullman County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Cullman community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Sparks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Cullman County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
John is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1919, 9 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1919, 212 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1919, 232 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 49. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
John was 49. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Sundays: 15.6%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Cullman County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Cullman County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.