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Incident
Officer Barry Headricks was shot and killed while participating in an undercover narcotics raid at an apartment complex at 1150 E. 8th Street. In coordination with Metro agents, Officers Headricks and his partner were posing as heroin buyers. They had arranged a drug buy and went to the dealer's apartment. The other Metro agents and the deputy county attorney positioned themselves, out of sight of the apartment, in the hallway. When the dealer opened the door he saw the other agents behind Officers Headricks. The man attempted to shut the door as Officer Headricks announced that he was a police officer. The suspect continued to try to shut the door with one of the officers partially in the apartment. The agents forced the door open and rushed inside. Officer Headricks went into the apartment's only bedroom as other officers held the suspect on the floor and handcuffed him. Another officer held the second suspect against a wall. As officers told the third suspect to 'freeze' one of the men opened fire on the officers who were inside the apartment. Officer Headricks was fatally wounded and three of the offenders in the home suffered non-life threatening wounds during the shootout. The man who shot Officer Headricks was sentenced to life in prison but paroled in March 2000. Officer Headricks had served with the Tucson Police Department for five years.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Headricks gave the Tucson Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tucson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Headricks.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Tucson Police Department has lost 11 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Barry is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
Barry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Barry is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer at Tucson Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1974, 2 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Barry was 27. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Tucson Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 40; the middle age was 32. Barry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Barry was 27. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39. Barry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Barry was 27. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Barry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Barry was 27. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Barry had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 16.7% of these deaths at Tucson Police Department; July holds the most, 33.3%. Mondays: 50%.
October holds 5.4% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Mondays: 15.7%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 54.5% of all 11 deaths at Tucson Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Tucson Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Barry among them.
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William Elliott
Jul 3, 1892
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William H. Katzenstein
Jul 26, 1902
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Robert V. Cummins
Sep 7, 1936
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Barry W. Headricks
Oct 28, 1974
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James Anthony Smith
Oct 28, 1980
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Jeffrey H. Ross
Feb 18, 1982
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Patrick Kent Hardesty
May 26, 2003
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Erik David Hite
Jun 2, 2008
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Stephen Cody Kass
May 5, 2021
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Jason H. Southard
Nov 26, 2021
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Adam Buckner
Mar 31, 2024
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Tucson Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
