GhLinks Media
Police have identified a 25-year-old Greenville man as the alleged killer of Police Officer Cooper Dawson.
Christian Robert Sparger remains hospitalized from injuries he suffered when Dawson was able to return fire on Monday night despite the officer suffering multiple gunshot wounds. Sparger’s last condition was reported as critical.
Sparger has a previous arrest record in Hunt County, according to online jail records. He was arrested in June of 2017 by Greenville police on marijuana and public intoxication charges, in March of 2018 by the Hunt County Sheriff’s Office for marijuana possession and in March of 2018 by Greenville police on another drug charge and failure to identify as a fugitive with intent to provide false information.
According to Texas Department of Criminal Justice records, Sparger was also found guilty of a felony charge of continuous violence against a family member in 2023.
Dawson, 27, at approximately 7:40 p.m. on Monday, initiated a traffic stop in the 3500 block of Pickett Street. The situation escalated into a foot pursuit, leading to a shootout behind 3517 Pickett Street between Dawson and Sparger. Dawson was ambushed as he chased Sparger behind the house. Sparger had several felony warrants.
This marks the first line-of-duty death for the Greenville Police Department in more than a century.
Dawson previously served with the Garland Police Department for seven years before joining the Greenville force. He would have turned 28 years old next month and is survived by his wife and three children.
Dawson had been working with the Greenville Police Department since April of 2023.
