Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John Barnes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a robbery suspect on Seventh and Chillicothe Streets in Portsmouth. Detective Barnes had observed the man attempt to hold up a woman who was en route to the bank to deposit checks and cash. When the woman started screaming and ran, the suspect ran the other way towards Detective Barnes. Detective Barnes stepped out of his vehicle and grabbed the suspect, who immediately turned and fired. Although mortally wounded, Detective Barnes was able to return fire and hit the suspect once in the hand. A man who was standing nearby grabbed Detective Barnes' service revolver, chased down the suspect, and subdued him until police arrived. The suspect's accomplice was arrested a short time later. Both suspects were convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life in April of 1932. The shooter died in prison. His accomplice was paroled in April of 1957. Detective Barnes had served with the Portsmouth Police Department for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-1E76C66A- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Barnes gave the Portsmouth Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth 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 John Barnes is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Portsmouth Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Barnes's cause is highlighted.
How John Barnes Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Barnes is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Barnes was killed by handgun; revolver.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Portsmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
