Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable Willie Barr was shot and killed at about 8:15 pm while he and the county sheriff attempted to arrest a man wanted for robbery at 441 North Court.
He and the sheriff learned about the man's whereabouts in a home in Florence. As they approached the home, the man attempted to flee but was stopped by the officers. As they began to search him, the man grabbed the sheriff's pistol and shot Constable Barr in the face, killing him. He then shot the sheriff in the hand as they struggled for the gun.
The subject was able to flee down Pine Street and through McFarland Bottoms. He remained at large for 12 days before being located. He was shot and killed when he pulled out a gun as they attempted to arrest him.
Constable Barr had served in law enforcement in Lauderdale County for 25 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and eight sons.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-AL-5F31DB10- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Constable Barr gave the Lauderdale County Constable's Office 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Florence community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Barr.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable William F. Barr 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Barr's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Barr Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Barr is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Barr was killed by officer's handgun.