Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Lee Barta was shot and killed while searching for a work release suspect. The suspect committed suicide after being surrounded in a house near the shooting site. Patrolman Barta was a United States Marine Corps veteran, served with the Binghamton Police Department for four years, and previously served with the Broome County Sheriff's Office. He is survived by his expectant wife, son, and daughter. His second son was born eight months after his murder. One of his sons went on to become a Binghamton police officer.
Survivors
He is survived by his expectant wife, son, and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-5A83B3B2- 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 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 Barta gave the Binghamton Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Binghamton 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
Lee E. Barta served in the Marine Corps (1986â1990) before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Lee E. Barta 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Binghamton Police Department, 5 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Lee E. Barta's cause is highlighted.
How Lee E. Barta Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Lee E. Barta is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Lee E. Barta was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Binghamton Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
