Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman David Barnett was shot and killed while trying to stop an armed robbery at a Waffle House at 7800 Scott Hamilton Road in Little Rock while off duty. Around 2:30 a.m., a man walked into the Waffle House and sat at the counter. A few moments later, a subject wearing a ski mask and carrying a rifle walked in. When Patrolman Barnett attempted to disarm the subject, a struggle ensued. The man at the counter joined the struggle and began hitting Patrolman Barnett repeatedly. One of the men grabbed Patrolman Barnett's service gun and fired four shots before fleeing. The 19-year-old killer was apprehended, convicted of capital murder, and sentenced to life without parole on October 23, 1991. The other subject, 17, was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Patrolman Barnett had served with the Little Rock Police Department for three years.
Survivors
Survivors include his mother and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-1CE2D10E- 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.
Patrolman Barnett gave the Little Rock Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Little Rock community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Barnett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman David E. Barnett 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 Little Rock Police Department, 19 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 82.6% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David E. Barnett's cause is highlighted.
How David E. Barnett Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David E. Barnett is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David E. Barnett was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Little Rock Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
