Budget

Update: Census worker’s death

The FBI continues to investigate the death of 51-year-old Census field worker William Sparkman. Investigators say his body was found hanging from a tree in rura...

Federal News Network Staff

September 25, 2009 4:39 pm

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wfedstaff | June 2, 2015 11:30 pm

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The FBI continues to investigate the death of 51-year-old Census field worker William Sparkman. Investigators say his body was found hanging from a tree in rural Kentucky September 12th with the word “fed” scrawled on his chest. Although not officially labeled a homocide, the death raises the issue of what safety training workers like Sparkman are getting, and what more the Census Bureau might do to make their job safer.

Officials with the American Federation of Government Employees are keeping a close eye on the case. President of the AFGE’s Local 2782 Bill Schauman released a statement this week complaining of the “bruised” image federal workers have been given by politicians over the last thirty years.