CBS 58 Exclusive: The Sparks family talks about new 'Waukesha Strong' documentary
WAUKESHA, Wis. (CBS 58) -- "Waukesha Strong" -- it's been the rallying cry for a healing community since their holiday parade was attacked in November of 2021. And now, it's the title of a new documentary streaming around the world.
It features wrestling superstar and Wisconsin native Braun Strowman and Jackson Sparks, the 8-year-old boy who lost his life in the attack.
In a CBS 58 exclusive, Jessob Reisbeck sat down with Jackson's parents to talk about the movie, the healing and the man known as "the monster of all monsters."
Eight-year-old Jackson Sparks was one of six people who lost their lives in the Waukesha parade attack in 2021. Two years later, he's featured in a new documentary about his favorite wrestler, honoring him.
WWE superstar Braun Strowman, whose real name is Adam Scherr, is a Wisconsin guy. After the attack, when he found out about Jackson, he thought, "what can I do to help and put a smile back on this family's face?"
That's when the relationship, and the filming of the documentary, started. In January of 2023, the Sparks were invited to a WWE event in Green Bay to meet Jackson's hero.
"He's in heaven and looking down on that, and I can imagine that he's on cloud nine. And we felt that. We felt that," said Jackson's dad, Aaron Sparks.
"Just meeting him, you could - you can feel how genuine - you could just feel it and sense it, there's no acting there. He genuinely, his heart was fully in it," said Jackson's mom, Sheri Sparks. "
"Nobody should have to bury their kids," Strowman said. "Nobody should have to bury their kids."
From the start of their relationship in January, to now, Strowman continues to support the Sparks family, Jackson's legacy and the Jackson Sparks Foundation.
"The fact that he hasn't forgotten, that tells me he thinks of Jackson, and that means the world," said Sheri Sparks.
As you can imagine, the documentary brings up a range of emotions, especially for the Sparks.
"It's hard reliving it but it's also, I know that, you know, it's a story people want to know, and people want to know about Jackson. And what a way to learn about Jackson than to watch something like this and learn about his love and his passion and his heroes," said Aaron Sparks.
"Jackson loved playing baseball. He loved wrestling. And he loved life. And that's what it's all about. Do what makes you happy. Just don't take anyone else's happiness away," said Strowman.
"Waukesha Strong" is 29 minutes long and you can watch it on Peacock or the WWE's YouTube channel.