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Incident
Constable Bruce Barker was shot and killed as he and several officers attempted to apprehend a fugitive from justice near Kingsport.
The suspect opened fire on the officers, killing Constable Barker. Other officers returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was arrested a short time later.
Patrolman George Frazier, of the Kingsport Police Department, suffered a fatal heart attack during the shootout.
The suspect, 24, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to 30 years in prison.
Constable Barker is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
Survivors
Constable Barker is survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-88JV-4121-3earlier record number BO-US-TN-8F3FE772- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- 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.
Constable Barker served with the Sullivan County Twelfth District Constable's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Bristol community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Barker.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Bruce is the only officer of Sullivan County Twelfth District Constable's Office remembered here.
Bruce is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 15,741 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.2% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 17,629 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1938, 3 officers in TN were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1931, with 12.
In 1938, 111 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1938, 113 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 51st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Bruce was 29. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41.
Bruce was 29. Of the 14,215 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
Bruce was 29. Of the 15,849 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
May holds 7.4% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Mondays: 12%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Sullivan County Twelfth District Constable's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 24.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.2% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Sullivan County Twelfth District Constable's Office are honored on badge.nw.