Dalton police identify officer in apparent suicide

DALTON, Ga. — Authorities have released the name of a police officer who committed suicide early Saturday morning at the Dalton Police Department.

Bruce Frazier, police department spokesman, said Officer Robert Paul Sparks, who was known by his middle name, killed himself in the locker room area of the Dalton Police Services Center at 301 Jones St. with an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound about 5:40 a.m. on Saturday.

Officer Sparks, 54, was a 10-year veteran of the police department.

Police Chief Jason Parker said investigators suspect that Mr. Sparks killed himself with his service pistol. Dalton police officers carry as Sig P229 .40-caliber handgun.

Chief Parker said authorities have transported officer Sparks’ body to the state crime lab in Atlanta for an autopsy.

Officers are being offered counseling and chaplains have been available to help them deal with the tragedy, Chief Parker said.

Funeral arrangements for officer Sparks had not been announced as of midday Sunday.