VALDOSTA — Today, employees of the Sparks Police Department, as well as several Valdosta and Lake Park citizens, will mourn the loss and celebrate the life of Sparks Police Officer Robert P. “Frog” Lloyd Jr., 53, who passed away while on duty Easter Sunday.
Sparks Police Chief Marty Robert Stafford reported that Lloyd was patrolling an area when he saw a friend and pulled over to speak with him. According to his friend’s account of events, Lloyd fell over in the middle of their conversation and appeared to have a seizure.
“The friend immediately dialed 911,” Stafford said. “Mid-Georgia Ambulance responded within minutes and he was transported to Adel Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.”
According to reports, Lloyd’s cause of death was a massive heart attack.
Lloyd, who was a Valdosta resident, had been employed with the Sparks Police Department for more than two years and came to the department after serving more than three years with the Lake Park Police Department. Administrators and co-workers described Lloyd as reliable and dedicated.
“He always came in early and stayed late,” Stafford said. “He was a good officer...very dependable, which is one thing you don’t find in law enforcement much anymore. This is a big loss to our department.”
Lloyd’s co-workers have set up a memorial fund, the Robert P. Lloyd Junior Memorial Fund at Adel Banking Company, in his honor, Stafford said. The money will be used to assist his family with funeral and daily living expenses.
“Aside from being a dedicated officer, ‘Frog’ (which is what he liked to be called) was also a dedicated grandfather, who watched his grandchild during the day,” Stafford said. “Therefore, he was only able to work part-time, which hindered his eligibility for benefits or life insurance. This is our way of showing our appreciation for him.”
Stafford said that all donations are welcome. He added that the Sparks Police Department and Cook County Sheriff’s Department is hosting a raffle fundraiser in Lloyd’s honor within the next two weeks.
Lloyd’s family will receive visitors today from 10 to 11 a.m. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the Nazarene Church, located at 1619 N. Lee St.
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