George R. Barthel

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department — Monterey Park, CA

Veteran → Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch April 19, 1979

Age 32

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

The Vigil Panel 121 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 119

Incident

Deputy Sheriff George Barthel was shot while investigating a group of suspicious males. He and his partner were assigned to the Sheriff's Special Enforcement Bureau and were assigned to patrol the Nickerson Housing Project. They were walking up to a group of males in front of 1449 E 115th Street when one of the subjects threw two vials of PCP into the bushes. As Deputy Barthel's partner went to pick up the drugs, the shooter opened fire from across the street with a rifle, striking both Deputy Barthel and his partner in the face and the torso. Both deputies were wearing bulletproof vests, but the bullets entered through the gaps in the sides. Two suspects, 21 and 24, were arrested and charged with murder. On November 20. 1980, the 24-year-old suspect was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life without parole. The other suspect was acquitted. As of December 2, 2022, the killer was in the California State Prison in Los Angeles County. Deputy Barthel's partner used his own body to shield Deputy Barthel as they retreated to their patrol car, taking fire from the suspects. Both deputies were transported to a local hospital, where Deputy Barthel died later that day. Deputy Barthel was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department for 10 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, brother, and two sisters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-CA-8ED3F694
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 George. Claim this record.

Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army, salute.nw. One record, 3 gates. George is one person.

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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Barthel gave the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Los Angeles community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

Type Other

Location Monterey Park, Los Angeles County, CA

Platform Identity lacso.losangeles.ca.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch April 19, 1979

Tour of Duty 10 yrs

Age 32

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Military Service

George R. Barthel served in the U.S. Army (1965â1968) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Deputy Sheriff George R. Barthel 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 97,759 officers honored here.

In CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 53 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, 58 of 120 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 48.3% of this agency's fallen.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department

of 120 officers

48.3% Felonious

CA — Statewide

974

of 1,837 officers

53% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious