Roll of Honor
Incident
Lieutenant John Barfield was shot and killed by a patrolman whom he was preparing to discipline for drinking.
Lieutenant Barfield had picked up the patrolman, who was making his rounds, and was driving the patrolman to the station when the began to struggle inside the car. The patrolman then shot Lieutenant Barfield in the head, killing him, near the intersection of Peachtree Street and Fifth Street.
The patrolman, 61, was arrested and charged with murdering Lieutenant Barfield. On December 3rd, 1931, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On December 20, 1935, his sentence was commuted to present service.
Lieutenant Barfield became an officer with the Atlanta Police Department in 1899. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1913.
Lt. Barfield, On today, the 90th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Atlanta.
R.I.P. USBP
Anonymous United States Border Patrol September 21st, 2021
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-GA-3A11C601- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
32 years. You could have gone home.
Lieutenant Barfield gave the Atlanta Police Department 32 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Atlanta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Barfield.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Lieutenant John William Barfield 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 60.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Atlanta Police Department, 58 of 88 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John William Barfield's cause is highlighted.
How John William Barfield Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John William Barfield is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John William Barfield was killed by handgun; .38 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
87 officers from Atlanta Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
