Holly MatkinTulsa, OK – Tulsa Police Department (TPD) Officer Sarah Vas Spradlin died on Dec. 7 after a brief illness caused by a compromised immune system.
The 46-year-old officer’s death was not attributed to COVID-19, TPD said in a Facebook post on Dec. 17.
“It’s with heavy hearts and minds that we announce the loss of Officer Sarah Vas,” the TPD said. “For her 22 years of service to the Tulsa Police Department, we are forever grateful for Officer Sarah Vas. Her memory will never be forgotten.”
Officer Vas graduated from Tulsa Junior College with an associate’s degree in criminal justice prior to joining the Tulsa Sheriff’s Department (TSD), according to her obituary.
During her three years of service at the sheriff’s office, Officer Vas enrolled at Northeastern State Extension in Tulsa and earned a bachelor’s degree.
She began serving the TPD in 1999, and spent the next 22 years working in multiple capacities, including becoming a TPD SWAT team hostage negotiator and a detective in the agency’s family violence department, according to her obituary.
“But what she really enjoyed was the day-to-day contact with the people in the neighborhoods she traveled as a patrol officer,” the tribute read.
Officer Vas also spent time assigned to the Mingo Valley Division and was most recently assigned to the Riverside Division, according to the TPD.
She was awarded four commendation awards for her efforts in helping solve domestic violence cases, and two commendation awards for “her outstanding efforts during training events,” the police department noted.
The Family Safety Center said in a Facebook post that Officer Vas “used her talents and skills to help those who needed it most.”
“Sarah was a dear friend to all of us and her passing is unexpected and sad for us all,” the post read. “Our prayers and love reach out to her children and family at this time.”
Officer Vas leaves behind her husband, Eric, as well as her son, Ericsson, and her daughter, Olivia, according to her obituary.
She is also survived by her parents, brother, in-laws, aunts, uncles, cousins, and many other extended family members.
“She was loved by many and will be missed by all,” her obituary read.
Officer Vas was laid to rest Dec. 17.
Remembering the life of Officer Sarah Vas
It’s with heavy hearts and minds that we announce the loss of Officer Sarah Vas.
Officer Vas passed away earlier this month due to medical reasons not related to COVID. She served 22+ years with TPD.
More info: https://t.co/s1FnAYlJYG pic.twitter.com/9qvinCi0la— Tulsa Police (@TulsaPolice) December 17, 2021
Photos taken from @TulsaPolice's procession this afternoon for officer Sarah Vas who passed away due to natural causes on Tuesday.
We're thinking of the officer and her loved ones during this time 🥺🙏 pic.twitter.com/4OeviGA7rQ
— NewsChannel 8 | KTUL (@KTULNews) December 8, 2021
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Tulsa Police Department Officer Sarah Vas Spradlin, both blood and blue. Thank you for your service.
Rest easy, hero. We’ll hold the line from here.
Sandy Malone
