Cooper Dawson, a 27-year-old male police officer with the Greenville Police Department in Texas, was a U.S. Army National Guard veteran dedicated to a life of service. Before joining the Greenville force, he had served for seven years with the Garland Police Department. In Greenville, he was a highly respected member of the SWAT team and an instructor for his fellow officers.
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Aubrey, and a father to their three young children: two sons and a daughter.
On the evening of Monday, November 25, 2024, Officer Dawson had just finished a family dinner at a local restaurant. Thirteen minutes later, at approximately 7:40 p.m., he initiated a traffic stop in the 3500 block of Pickett Street. The person he stopped was known to have multiple felony warrants. The man fled on foot, and Officer Dawson gave chase. The pursuit led behind a residence at 3517 Pickett Street, where the man ambushed Officer Dawson, shooting him multiple times.
Despite being critically wounded, Officer Dawson displayed incredible courage. He returned fire, striking the suspect and incapacitating him. He then applied his own tourniquet and, according to his police chief, calmly walked other responding officers through how to treat his injuries. Both men were transported to Hunt County Regional Hospital. Officer Dawson was subsequently airlifted to Medical City Plano, where he succumbed to his injuries at approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, November 26, 2024. His death was the first in the line of duty for the Greenville Police Department in more than a century.
The suspect was identified as 25-year-old Christian Robert Sparger. He was hospitalized in critical condition from the gunshot wound he sustained. Sparger had a lengthy criminal history and was wanted on several felony warrants at the time of the shooting, including for charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and family violence. Following the incident, the Texas Rangers took over the investigation.
Christian Robert Sparger was arrested and subsequently arraigned on a charge of capital murder of a peace officer. A judge set his bail at $5 million. As of late 2024, Sparger was awaiting trial for the murder of Officer Dawson.
At his funeral service, friends, family, and colleagues remembered Officer Dawson as a hero. His wife, Aubrey, recalled their last moments together at dinner, where his final words to his family were "I love you." Greenville Police Chief Chris Smith described him as a "true warrior" who "went down fighting like a lion." He was remembered not only for his bravery on his final night but for his unwavering commitment to his family, his community, and his profession.
