Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Lish Barber and Chief Deputy Bob Smith were shot and killed after being requested to meet three subjects at a local business.
While talking with the three, the former police chief of Texarkana and his two sons, an argument ensued and gunfire erupted. Both Sheriff Barber and Deputy Smith were shot and killed. One of the suspects was shot and wounded in return gunfire.
All three were arrested and charged in connection with the murders. The former chief was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.
Sheriff Barber was survived by his wife and two children. His wife finished his unexpired term as sheriff.
Survivors
Sheriff Barber was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AR-5C664739- 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.
Sheriff Barber served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Barber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Elisha Franklin Barber 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. Elisha Franklin Barber's cause is highlighted.
How Elisha Franklin Barber Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Elisha Franklin Barber is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Elisha Franklin Barber was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Miller County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
