Terry Lee Barker, Sr.
Investigator

Terry Lee Barker, Sr.

Cardiac
End of Watch December 8, 2004
Age 47
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
The Vigil Panel 152 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Investigator Terry Barker suffered a fatal heart attack while conducting a joint investigation with the Virginia State Police and the Virginia Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control.

Investigator Barker and two agents were setting up a surveillance system in a remote wooded area near Brosville. Investigator Barker had carried a 60-pound marine battery through the woods to the surveillance area to power the equipment. After setting up the surveillance system the agents returned to their vehicle to leave the area. As they drove away Investigator Barker slumped over the steering wheel. The agent in the passenger seat was able to control the vehicle to a stop and immediately started CPR on Investigator Barker. Investigator Barker was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Investigator Barker had served with the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office for 8 years.

Survivors

He is survived by his wife, two children, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-VA-68CFE77C
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 Terry. 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Investigator Barker gave the Pittsylvania County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chatham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Investigator Barker.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location Chatham, VA
Platform Identity pittso.pittsylvania.va.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch December 8, 2004
Tour of Duty 8 yrs
Age 47
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Cardiac

Investigator Terry Lee Barker, Sr. is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 4% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In VA, 25 of 654 officers were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 3.8% of this state's fallen.

At Pittsylvania Cnty Sheriff's Office, 2 of 8 officers on record were lost to cardiac events in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

Pittsylvania Cnty Sheriff's Office
2
of 8 officers
25% Cardiac
VA — Statewide
25
of 654 officers
3.8% Cardiac
Nationwide
1,306
of 32,508 officers
4% Cardiac

National Cause Distribution

How Cardiac compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Terry Lee Barker, Sr.'s cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Terry Lee Barker, Sr. Compares

Age at End of Watch
47
This officer
Avg for Cardiac: 48.6 years
Years of Service
8
This officer
Avg for Cardiac: 15.6 years

When Cardiac Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Cardiac deaths across the full memorial record. Terry Lee Barker, Sr. is highlighted in Dec.

Jan
124
Feb
105
Mar
99
Apr
116
May
115
Jun
95
Jul
94
Aug
104
Sep
109
Oct
121
Nov
113
Dec
111