Suspect in Greenville Police Officer Cooper Dawsons Murder Has a Violent Criminal History

---

On Monday, November 25, at approximately 7:40pm, Officer Dawson initiated a traffic stop which led to a foot pursuit in the 3500 block of Pickett Street. While pursuing the suspect behind the address of 3517 Pickett Street, Officer Dawson was ambushed and shot multiple times. Despite his critical injuries, Officer Dawson displayed exceptional courage, returning fire, and striking the suspect, then applying a tourniquet to his leg.

Both Officer Dawson and the suspect were transported to a local hospital by AMR Hunt County. Officer Dawson was later airlifted by Air Evac 67 to Medical City Plano, a Level One Trauma Center, where he succumbed to his injuries. Tragically, this marks the first Line of Duty death for the Greenville Police Department in over 100 years.

Officer Dawson was a highly respected member of the Greenville Police Department and had previously served with the Garland Police Department. His dedication to public service and his unwavering commitment to protecting the Greenville community will never be forgotten.

Officer Dawson is survived by his wife, a Royse City ISD Teacher, his three children, and extended family.

The suspect has been identified as 25-year-old Christian Robert Sparger, who’s last recorded address, on Cornelia Street in Greenville, is a mile away from the shooting scene.

Spargers criminal history dates back to 2017, starting with an arrest by Greenville Police Department for possession of marijuana less than two ounces, resulting in a Class B misdemeanor conviction with 12 months probation.  Sparger violated the probation in 2018 with an arrest by Hunt County Sherriff’s Deputies for possession of marijuana, which resulted in 10 days in jail and an extension of probation. In 2021 was arrested by the Denton Police Department for Assault Causing Bodily Injury to a Family Member which resulted in a conviction on a Class A misdemeanor with 5 days in jail and probation for 12 months.  In 2023 Sparger was again arrested by Denton Police on a charge of Assault on a Family Member Impleading Breath, Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon., and Continuous Assault on a family Member. Records show the three felony charges were merged together with a convection resulting in 8 years probation on October 18, 2023.

Sparger currently has a warrant for probation violation

The DPS Texas Rangers are the lead agency in the investigation.