Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Richard Barth was shot and killed by a 15-year-old suspect while questioning him and another youth about suspicious activity in a park. Unbeknownst to Officer Barth, the two boys had just committed a burglary and were going through the stolen items when Officer Barth interrupted them. The suspect who shot Officer Barth was convicted of murder and sentenced to 50 to 100 years in prison. He was released in 2003. Officer Barth had served with the Downers Grove Police Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-CF4898EE- 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.
Officer Barth gave the Downers Grove Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Downers Grove community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Barth.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Richard Joseph Barth 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 Downers Grove Police Department, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Richard Joseph Barth's cause is highlighted.
How Richard Joseph Barth Compares
Offender Outcome
suspicious activity
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Richard Joseph Barth is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Richard Joseph Barth was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Downers Grove Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
