Roll of Honor
Incident
On 6th April 1913 it was noted that £45 was missing from the accounts of the Sun Inn.
Nine days later, on 15th April, a heated argument over the money led to police being called to the inn. The owner was there with the new landlord and his wife, the owner intending to evict the current landlord due to the accounting errors and stock discrepancies.
PC George Mussell from Bedlington Police Station was sent to resolve the matter and although he was meant to be off duty he did the extra shift as a favour.
At the pub the disturbance escalated and the current landlord being evicted produced a shotgun and shot PC Mussell twice.
Sergeant Andrew Barton, on patrol nearby, heard the gunfire and rushed to the scene. He knew the landlord well and tried to reason with him but he was also shot twice. A third person, the wife of the pub’s new landlord, was also shot dead.
Posthumously awarded the King’s Police Medal for Gallantry.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Barton served with the Northumberland County Constabulary.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Barton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Andrew Barton 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 97,756 officers honored here.
In ENG, 702 of 2,827 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 24.8% of this state's fallen. That is 24.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Northumberland County Constabulary, 8 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 34.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Andrew Barton's cause is highlighted.
How Andrew Barton Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Andrew Barton is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Northumberland County Constabulary are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
