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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Charles Barnes was shot and killed execution-style after stopping to investigate a vehicle parked on the side of Holly Springs Road in Miller County off Highway 196. As he talked to the three occupants one of them stated he had to use the bathroom. Deputy Barnes told the man to step to the edge of the woods so he remained in sight. The other two suspects then distracted Deputy Barnes as the third one went back to the car and retrieved a rifle. The three overpowered Deputy Barnes put him on his knees and then shot him. The suspects then stole his patrol car. He was found by another deputy who responded to the scene after Deputy Barnes failed to answer radio calls. One of the suspects, who had been released from prison three weeks earlier, was shot and killed in a shootout with other law enforcement officers the following day in Texas. Two youths were arrested. One youth, age 17, was found guilty of Capital Murder and sentenced to life in prison without parole. That sentence was overturned a year later. The other youth was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to 15 years. Deputy Barnes had served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office for two years and as a reserve deputy for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, mother, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- 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.
Patrol Deputy Barnes gave the Miller County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Deputy Barnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Miller County Sheriff's Office has lost 11 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Charles is one of 249 officers killed feloniously in AR, 66.9% of the 372 remembered there.
Charles is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Charles 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 1984, 1 officer at Miller County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 3.
In 1984, 5 officers in AR were killed feloniously, the 6th heaviest of 106 years on record. The heaviest was 1911, with 8.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Charles was 46. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Miller County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 41.5 and 49.5; the middle age was 47. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 2 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 214 killed feloniously in AR whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 42. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Charles was 46. 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. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Charles was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Charles had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 22.2% of these deaths at Miller County Sheriff's Office; October holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 11.1%.
March holds 10.4% of these deaths in AR; April holds the most, 10.8%. Saturdays: 16.9%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 11 deaths at Miller County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 66.9% of all 372 deaths in AR, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Miller County Sheriff's Office has 11 officers remembered here, Charles among them.
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Elisha Franklin Barber Oct 30, 1925
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Robert D. Smith Nov 2, 1925
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Lucien C. Adams, Jr. Mar 26, 1930
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Walter S. Harris
Jul 28, 1931
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Thomas Asbury Quillin Aug 31, 1932
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Melvin Brackman
Oct 19, 1932
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J. C. Crain Oct 21, 1932
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William Martin Greer Jun 1, 1939
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Clarence A. Anderson
Mar 10, 1948
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Charles E. Barnes, Sr.
Mar 31, 1984
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Lisa Anne Mauldin
Dec 18, 2016
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Miller County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
