Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Ohio Incident Date: Tuesday, July 27, 1920 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to life
Detective David Barnes was shot and killed while patrolling the New York Central Railroad tracks in Elyria, Ohio.
Earlier in the evening he had arrested three transients and had delivered them to the "Bum Cell" at the Elyria Police Department to be held overnight. After delivering the prisoners he returned to the East Bridge Street railroad undercut at about 10:25 pm to search for two more transients he had seen there.
As he walked the tracks a man hiding between nearby boxcars suddenly opened fire from ambush, striking Detective Barnes in the pelvis and knocking him down. The man then shot him in the head at point blank range. He was transported to a local hospital where he died at approximately 1:15 am.
The suspect who shot him was a notorious bank robber in the area who was wanted for the murder of Detective Patrick Gaffney of the East Cleveland Police Department. He was arrested following Detective Barnes' murder. He was subsequently convicted of Detective Gaffney's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was never tried for murdering Detective Barnes.
Detective Barnes had served with the New York Central Railroad Police Department for four years and had previously served as a deputy game warden.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-F87ADFD5- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew David. 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.
Detective Barnes gave the New York Central Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Barnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective David H. Barnes is one of 17,558 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 53.9% of all 32,585 officers honored here.
In NY, 728 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 33.9% of this state's fallen. That is 20 percentage points below the national rate of 53.9%.
At New York Central Railroad Police Department, 8 of 14 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.1% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David H. Barnes's cause is highlighted.
How David H. Barnes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David H. Barnes is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David H. Barnes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
