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Ray Lynn Barnes
Incident
Wildlife Officer Ray Barnes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a person illegally hunting deer along the Shoal River near the Okaloosa County-Walton County line. The suspect managed to gain control of the officer's handgun and shot him. The suspect was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. He was paroled on October 31st, 2004. On December 20th, 2007, he was returned to the Florida Penitentiary to serve a term of 35 years after his third conviction for DUI, resisting and eluding officers, and driving with a revoked license.
Survivors
Officer Barnes was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Wildlife Officer Barnes served with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission.
Thank you for your service to the Tallahassee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Wildlife Officer Barnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has lost 15 officers; 5 of them killed feloniously.
Ray is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Ray is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Ray 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 1987, 1 officer at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1987, 10 officers in FL were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1987, 97 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 55th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1987, 117 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Ray was 31. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 49; the middle age was 31.
Ray was 31. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36.
Ray was 31. 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.
Ray was 31. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
November holds 40% of these deaths at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, more than any other month. Saturdays: 20%.
November holds 7.6% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Saturdays: 20.1%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 33.3% of all 15 deaths at Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 40% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 10.3% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission has 15 officers remembered here, Ray among them.
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Samuel S. Pinney
Mar 12, 1927
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Robert B. Bell
Sep 19, 1942
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George T. Sharp Dec 21, 1946
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James R. Fields
Dec 24, 1950
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Johnny Ingram Nov 25, 1951
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Noah Therman Smith
Nov 30, 1954
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Joel Lathem Harper Aug 12, 1962
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Marvin John Albritton
Aug 18, 1966
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James G. Thompson
Jun 25, 1968
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Leon Walker
Aug 13, 1970
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Harry Charles Chapin
Nov 5, 1972
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Jimmy Lee Cook
Dec 8, 1972
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Danese Byron Crowder
May 3, 1974
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Margaret E. Park
Dec 13, 1984
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Ray Lynn Barnes
Nov 21, 1987
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 20-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission are honored on badge.nw.
