Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Louis Barney succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash five days earlier. Patrolman Barney was riding his motorcycle on a special traffic detail for the Pageant for Progress. His motorcycle collided with the left rear fender of a vehicle traveling westbound on Jefferson Street. Officer Barney was able to walk to a vehicle and was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital by an unidentified motorist. Once in the hospital, he fell into unconsciousness due to a subdural hemorrhage. Emergency surgery was performed to remove a blood clot from the brain, and he remained in critical condition until he succumbed to his injuries. The driver was later ticketed for failing to signal a left turn. Patrolman Barney was a United States Navy WWII veteran and had served with the Joliet Police Department for 12 years. An avid sportsman, he carried the principles of the game into his police work. He often made friends with those he had arrested and loved children. His two daughters were his constant companions.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and two siblings.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-6ECA98F4- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Louis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Patrolman Barney gave the Joliet Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Louis A. Barney served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Patrolman Louis A. Barney is one of 10,088 officers lost to accidents in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 31% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In IL, 354 of 1,318 officers were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 26.9% of this state's fallen. That is 4.1 percentage points below the national rate of 31%.
At Joliet Police Department, 3 of 8 officers on record were lost to accidents in the line of duty — 37.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Accident compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Louis A. Barney's cause is highlighted.
How Louis A. Barney Compares
When Accident Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Accident deaths across the full memorial record. Louis A. Barney is highlighted in Aug.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Joliet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
