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Incident
Sergeant Barbara Fenley was killed while trying to evacuate residents during the rapidly moving Eastland Complex Fires.
She was going door-to-door in the Carbon area in an attempt to notify citizens to leave the area when the area became inundated with smoke and low visibility. Her patrol car drove off the roadway and became engulfed in flames.
The Eastland Complex Fires had already burned over 45,000 acres at the time of Sergeant Fenley's death.
Sergeant Fenley had served with the Eastland County Sheriff's Office for nine years and had previously served with the Gorman Police Department for 10 years, including six years as the police chief.
Survivors
She is survived by her husband and three children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sergeant Fenley gave the Eastland County Sheriff's Office 19 years.
Thank you for your service to the Eastland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Fenley.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Eastland County Sheriff's Office has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Barbara is one of 657 officers lost to accidents in TX, 27.1% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Barbara is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Barbara is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2022, 8 officers in TX were lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1994, with 14.
In 2022, 60 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 73rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 2022, 61 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 89th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Barbara was 51. Of the 626 lost to accidents in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 46; the middle age was 36. Barbara had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Barbara was 51. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Barbara had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Barbara was 51. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Barbara had served 19 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 5.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 11.7%. Thursdays: 11.3%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Eastland County Sheriff's Office, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 27.1% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Her people
Eastland County Sheriff's Office has 5 officers remembered here, Barbara among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Eastland County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
