Roll of Honor
Incident
Trooper Barrett was shot and killed in an ambush at his home by an unknown suspect.
Survivors
Trooper Barrett was survived by his wife and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-D3DD4B07- 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.
Trooper Barrett gave the Kentucky State Police 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Kentucky. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Barrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Trooper William Harrel Barrett 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At KY State Police, 12 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 41.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Harrel Barrett's cause is highlighted.
How William Harrel Barrett Compares
Offender Outcome
Never Identified
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Harrel Barrett is highlighted in Dec.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Harrel Barrett was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
28 officers from KY State Police are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
