New local bridge to be dedicated to fallen officer
TEXARKANA, Texas — The city’s newest bridge will be dedicated Monday in honor of fallen police officer Jason Sprague.
The ceremony for the Jason Sprague Memorial Bridge will be at 9 a.m. on the new section of Gibson Lane between University Avenue and Pleasant Grove Road, according to the Texarkana Texas Police Department.
Police and city administrators are expected to speak briefly at the dedication.
The City Council voted unanimously in 2022 to name the new bridge in memory of Sprague, who died in the line of duty in 2013. The new construction presented an opportunity to memorialize Sprague. TTPD approached former Council Member Bill Harp, in whose ward the bridge was being built, “for his blessing,” Chief Kevin Schutte said during a Council’s meeting where the issue was discussed.
Sprague, 30, died June 15, 2013 in a Texarkana hospital.
About 12:30 a.m. on June 14, 2013, Sprague, suffered fatal injuries in a hit-and-run crash as he answered a dispatch call involving a large crowd disturbance at Grady T. Wallace Park.
Sprague had responded to reports of the disturbance, involving approximately 100 people, and was attempting to make contact with the driver of an SUV. The vehicle suddenly accelerated, struck him, and then fled the area. Sprague was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries the following morning.
The subject who struck the officer was arrested the following day after being interviewed by detectives. He was subsequently sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Sprague had served with TTPD for two years and had previously served with several agencies in Arkansas. He was survived by his wife and son.