The memory of Charles “Sparky” Sparks and his dedication as a Deputy State Fire Marshal, volunteer fireman and training instructor will live on for future generations following the opening of a reflection park in his honor two weeks ago in Campbellsville.

With a large contingent of firefighters, state and local officials, family and friends on hand, the Charles “Sparky” Spark Reflection Park was dedicated Thursday morning, October 6 at the Kentucky Fire Commission’s State Fire Rescue Area 14 Training Center.

Sparks, a Deputy State Fire Marshal for 24 years, a 32-year member of the Columbia-Adair County Volunteer Fire Department, an EMT with the Adair County EMS and a Fire Rescue Training Instructor for Area 14 for 24 years, died July 8 in Louisville as a result of a heart attack he suffered while fighting a fire at a residence in the Garlin Community on June 20. He was 49 years old and was serving as First Assistant City Chief at the time of his death.

Not only was Sparks the first firemen to die in the line of duty in the history of the Columbia-Adair County Fire Department, he was also the first firemen in Area 14 to die in the line of duty.

Charlie Shaw, Fire Rescue Training Coordinator for Area 14, and the rest of the staff decided the best way to pay tribute to Sparks was to establish a park in his honor at the training center. The one-quarter acre park contains a large marker with pictures of Sparks, a brief description of his career, and the purpose of the park. The marker was revealed during the dedication, as was a large bronze statue of a fireman and Sparks’ family planted a tree in his memory.

Bro. Terry White, pastor of Columbia Christian Church where Sparks had been a member since his youth, delivered the dedication remarks (which are also inscribed on the marker.)

Following Bro. White’s talk, the marker honoring Sparks was unveiled by members of the Columbia-Adair County and Campbellsville-Taylor County fire departments, and the fireman’s statue was unveiled by the Area 14 staff and State Fire Marshal.

The ceremonial concluded with Charlie Sparks’ family–his widow Tammy, son Trent, and parents Charles and Helen Sparks–planting a tree in his memory.