Faithwire
  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram
  • SCOTUS
  • Life
  • Religious Liberty
  • News
  • Politics
  • Faith
  • Opinion

“Now Heaven Bound to Serve Our King” – Fallen Officer’s Brother-in-Law Gives Beautiful Eulogy

"You are a better man than I, brother."
Share Tweet
By Dan Andros
Managing Editor

October 13, 2016

For more stories like this, sign up for Faithwire’s email newsletter.


Officer Justin Sparks gave an especially emotional eulogy during the funeral for a fellow officer killed in the line of duty last week.

Sparks is the brother-in-law of Officer Blake Snyder, 33, and the pair are very close.

Snyder was shot by 18 year-old Trenton Forster after responding to a call. When Snyder pulled up alongside Forster’s car and asked him to show his hands, Forster immediately pulled a weapon and began firing. Snyder was killed instantly.

He leaves behind a wife and a 2-year-old daughter. Prior to becoming an officer he was on the IT team at his church.

Local television stations covered the outpouring of support and entire funeral services.

Officer Sparks had a hard time holding his emotions together as he spoke.

Via Fox2:

“I stand before you here today with the realization that we live in perilous times, and you all know what I mean. It would be easy to despair and succumb to fear. I have never been more confident in our righteous cause. Let me tell you why. Love is why. That is the answer. As long as there are those who are willing to sacrifice the most precious gift of life for others. I promise you we will prevail, and good will overcome.

“I knew it. I knew the pain and tragedy he would see. I know the toxic environment he would immerse himself in every day. I knew in the depths men go to to hurt each other. A new strength would have to bring peace where there was no peace. Because that is what we do. I knew he would have to do it while be an outstanding father and husband.

“Buddy, Blake, while I wept over you in the hospital room, I was struck with the sensation of unbearable loss accompanied by unbelievable pride. So allow me now, brother, to make you proud. I will live on and realize your dreams. I will be your arms, holding up Elizabeth. I will be your hands, in guiding your son to become an honorable man. That is my promise.

“Today, in the presence of God, and all those you know, I tell you this: You are a better man than I, brother. You are a better man than me.”

Then Sparks explained how Blake knew he’d written a hymn for all fallen officers, something he’d done in the wake of all the the latest police killings. He’d planned to save it for when attending a funeral for one of their own, and said “the both dreaded the day” he’d actually have to read it. Little did he know he’d be reading it for his very own brother-in-law.

“This is the blue hymn for the fallen. For his fellow man he fought, and for his fellow man he’s fallen. Joyful hearts and chorus answer, for this was his calling. Led by courage through, honor and bravery shone. 

“In the Heavens he’ll now serve, for Heaven’s called him home.
We brothers blue remain, hearts of pride now shone.
We send our faithful friend to his eternal home.
No more sadness, pain or guile. No more night watch all the while.
Rest now hero true, Lord take him home with you.

“Now death where is thy sting? The humble servant sleeps. Now heaven-bound on angel wings, now heaven bound to serve our King.”

Watch the beautiful eulogy below.

Latest

  • News

    ‘Word for Word’: Persecution Watchdog Warns of Striking Similarities Between Communist Persecution, ‘American Leftist Way of Restriction’

  • News

    Calgary Pastor Arrested for Second Time After Protesting Drag Show at Public Library

  • News

    ‘Gateways to the Demonic’: Pastor Breaks Down Possession, Spiritual Healing, and Biblical Truths About Devil’s Most Dangerous Tricks

  • Life

    ‘Nonsense’: Atheist and Biologist Richard Dawkins Hits Back at ‘Bullying’ of J.K. Rowling, Proclaims ‘There are Two Sexes’

  • News

    Christian Wrestler Under Fire After Praising Jesus, Mentioning Muhammad Following Win: ‘Holy Spirit Power — It’s Everything’


Sponsored
Sponsored

Newsletter
Signup

Sidebar

Recent Posts

  • ‘Word for Word’: Persecution Watchdog Warns of Striking Similarities Between Communist Persecution, ‘American Leftist Way of Restriction’
  • Calgary Pastor Arrested for Second Time After Protesting Drag Show at Public Library
  • ‘Gateways to the Demonic’: Pastor Breaks Down Possession, Spiritual Healing, and Biblical Truths About Devil’s Most Dangerous Tricks
  • ‘Nonsense’: Atheist and Biologist Richard Dawkins Hits Back at ‘Bullying’ of J.K. Rowling, Proclaims ‘There are Two Sexes’
  • Christian Wrestler Under Fire After Praising Jesus, Mentioning Muhammad Following Win: ‘Holy Spirit Power — It’s Everything’

Archives

  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

  • Christian Persecution
  • Coronavirus
  • culture
  • Culture
  • Entertainment
  • Faith
  • Faith
  • Family
  • George Floyd
  • Go!
  • Israel
  • Life
  • Life
  • Lifestyle
  • Media
  • Men
  • Mission Haiti
  • News
  • News
  • Opinion
  • P.O.V
  • Politics
  • Politics
  • Roe
  • Sponsored
  • Sports
  • Virtue
  • Women

Meta

  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.org

Navigation

  • Watch
  • Go!
  • Podcasts
  • Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Staff
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Service

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Instagram

Subscribe to the Newsletter

Sign up to get our newsletter your inbox every day.

Newsletter Signup

Do you want to read
more articles like this?