Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Josh Bartlett was shot and killed during a barricade at a home in the 1100 block of 10th Street in Levelland.
Earlier in the morning, the subject had been stopped by a Texas Highway Patrol trooper for reckless driving and attempted to bait the officer into a confrontation. The subject returned home after the encounter and began walking around the neighborhood with a firearm at about 1:15 pm. When officers with the Levelland Police Department arrived, the man opened fire on him and then barricaded himself inside. The regional SWAT team was requested as the man randomly fired shots from the home.
Sergeant Bartlett and three other members of the SWAT team were shot as they engaged the subject. Sergeant Bartlett was transported to Covenant Medical Center in Levelland, where he succumbed to his wounds. Several other team members were wounded, one critically.
The subject was taken into custody at about 11:30 pm.
Sergeant Bartlett was a U. S. Army veteran and served with the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office for over eight years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, four sons, parents, and a brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-233D0489- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Joshua. Claim this record.
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.
Sergeant Bartlett gave the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Lubbock community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Joshua Blake Bartlett served in the Army (2004â2008) before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Joshua Blake Bartlett 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Lubbock County Sheriff's Dept., 2 of 4 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. Joshua Blake Bartlett's cause is highlighted.
How Joshua Blake Bartlett Compares
Offender Outcome
In custody
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joshua Blake Bartlett is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joshua Blake Bartlett was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Lubbock County Sheriff's Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
