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Incident
Chief of Police Robert Sparks was shot and killed, and an officer assisting him was critically wounded while attempting to arrest a man for being drunk and disruptive in public. As they struggled with the man, he grabbed the officer's revolver and shot Chief Sparks five times and the officer once in his abdomen. A nearby store owner, who had called in the complaint, held the suspect at gunpoint until other officers arrived. The suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to death. On June 16, 1950, four hours before his scheduled execution, his sentence was commuted to life. Chief Sparks had served with the Oxford Police Department for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, four sons and 11 grandchildren.
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
20 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Sparks gave the Oxford Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Oxford community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Sparks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Oxford Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Robert is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
Robert is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Robert is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 4 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Robert was 63. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40. Robert had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Robert was 63. 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. Robert had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Robert was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Robert had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 9.4% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Oxford Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's 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 officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Oxford Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Robert among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 52-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Oxford Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
