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Incident
Night Watchman Pink Barnhill succumbed to a gunshot wound he received while patrolling near the train tracks at Kenedy Avenue in Kingsville.
At 10:30 p.m., two fugitives arrived in Kingsville and attacked Night Watchman Barnhill. He was hit over the head, and they took his pistol, shooting him in the stomach. The sound of gunfire alerted other officers, who warned surrounding officers and the state patrol. The subjects robbed the Edwards Grocery Store before overpowering a car, taking three people hostage, and forcing them to drive to Corpus Christi. When the car stopped at a blockade, the subjects shot and killed the female passenger and fled on foot.
The subjects were killed after firing on two highway patrolmen and a deputy sheriff at dawn. The fugitives started their criminal spree on June 27, 1940, in Nacogdoches by hijacking vehicles and robbing stores as they traveled south, which resulted in one of the most costly manhunts in Texas at the time.
Night Watchman Barnhill was transported to Kleberg County Hospital where he passed away after surgery the next day.
Night Watchman Barnhill had served with the Kingsville Police Department for 14 years and previously served with the Texas Rangers for six years and the United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service for four years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, three sons, two daughters, a niece, a nephew, and four grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
24 years. You could have gone home.
Night Watchman Barnhill gave the Kingsville Police Department 24 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Kingsville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Night Watchman Barnhill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kingsville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Pinkney is one of 1,462 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,423 remembered there.
Pinkney is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Pinkney is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1940, 7 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1940, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1940, 226 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 8th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Pinkney was 77. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Pinkney had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Pinkney was 77. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Pinkney had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Pinkney was 77. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Pinkney had served 24 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.4% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 4 deaths at Kingsville Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,423 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Kingsville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Pinkney among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 29-WT
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kingsville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
