Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Herman Barnickol was shot and mortally wounded during an escape attempt at the St. Clair County Jail.
As nine prisoners overpowered the jailor, one of them took his revolver and shot Sheriff Barnickol through his arm as he intervened. Sheriff Barnickol returned fire, killing the suspect.
Two weeks later, due to complications from infection, Sheriff Barnickol's left arm had to be amputated just below his shoulder. He died five hours later.
Sheriff Barnickol's wife and his aged mother played a heroic part in preventing the other eight prisoners from escaping. On April 21st, 1900, six of the prisoners were found guilty of Sheriff Barnickol's murder. One was sentenced to 18 years in prison. The other five were sentenced to 14 years each.
Sheriff Barnickol had served with the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department for five years and had served as Sheriff for two of those years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, mother, seven brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4C99B615- 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 Barnickol gave the St. Clair County Sheriff's Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Belleville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Barnickol.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff Herman Barnickol 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At St. Clair County Sheriff's Department, 3 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Herman Barnickol's cause is highlighted.
How Herman Barnickol Compares
Offender Outcome
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Herman Barnickol is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Herman Barnickol was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from St. Clair County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
