Elisha Franklin "Lish" Barber

Miller County Sheriff's Office — Texarkana, AR

Felonious

End of Watch October 30, 1925

Age 51

The Vigil Panel 50 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 10

Incident

Sheriff Lish Barber and Chief Deputy Bob Smith were shot and killed after being requested to meet three subjects at a local business.

While talking with the three, the former police chief of Texarkana and his two sons, an argument ensued and gunfire erupted. Both Sheriff Barber and Deputy Smith were shot and killed. One of the suspects was shot and wounded in return gunfire.

All three were arrested and charged in connection with the murders. The former chief was convicted of murder and sentenced to life.

Sheriff Barber was survived by his wife and two children. His wife finished his unexpired term as sheriff.

Survivors

Sheriff Barber was survived by his wife and two children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-AR-5C664739
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.
Sheriff Barber served with the Miller County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Texarkana community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Barber.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Miller County Sheriff's Office

Location Texarkana, AR

Platform Identity mcso.miller.ar.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 30, 1925

Age 51

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun

Offender Sentenced to life

Sheriff Elisha Franklin "Lish" Barber 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 AR, 249 of 372 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.9% of this state's fallen. That is 12.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Miller County Sheriff's Office, 9 of 11 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 81.8% of this agency's fallen.

Miller County Sheriff's Office

of 11 officers

81.8% Felonious

AR — Statewide

249

of 372 officers

66.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious