Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff William Barnes was shot and killed as he attempted to question two youths at a filling station in Nilwood, Illinois.
Deputy Barnes had been warned earlier that the two youths, ages 18 and 19, were wanted for several hold-ups in Virden and Girard. The suspects' automobile was found overturned and abandoned three miles away. A posse captured both suspects two days later. One had a bullet wound in his shoulder from Deputy Barnes' return fire.
Both subjects were convicted of Deputy Barnes' murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. On January 11th, 1941, Governor John Stelle commuted their sentences to 35 years.
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BO-US-IL-E0B76E77- Stewardship
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- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Barnes gave the Macoupin County Sheriff's Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Carlinville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Barnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff J. William Barnes 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Macoupin County Sheriff's Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. William Barnes's cause is highlighted.
How J. William Barnes Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. William Barnes is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. William Barnes was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Macoupin County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
