Roll of Honor
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
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-1E27E0BB- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Charles. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
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
Patrol Deputy Charles E. Barnes Sr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 66.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Miller County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Charles E. Barnes Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Charles E. Barnes Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Charles E. Barnes Sr. is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Charles E. Barnes Sr. was killed by rifle.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Miller County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
