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Incident
Chief of Police Rufus Barrow was shot and killed with his own service weapon when he responded to a disturbance call involving a mentally ill man refusing to be taken back to a mental hospital.
The 24-year-old subject was able to gain control of Chief Barrows' revolver and fatally shot him.
The suspect was charged with murder, adjudged insane, and returned to the mental hospital. In 1964 he had a sanity hearing and was still adjudged to be insane. He died in Glasgow State Mental Hospital on February 8, 1986.
Chief Barrow had served with the Adairville Police Department for eight years and previously served with the Franklin Police Department and Simpson County Sheriff's Office.
He is buried at Greenlawn and Shady Rest Cemetery in Franklin, Simpson County, Kentucky.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and child.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Barrow gave the Adairville Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Adairville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Barrow.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Adairville Police Department has lost 4 officers; 3 of them killed feloniously.
Rufus is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Rufus is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1948, 10 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1948, 80 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 84th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1948, 81 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 87th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Rufus was 65. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. Rufus had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Rufus was 65. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Rufus had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Rufus was 65. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Rufus had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 9.1% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Thursdays: 13%.
April holds 8.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
April holds 8.6% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 4 deaths at Adairville Police Department, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Adairville Police Department has 4 officers remembered here, Rufus among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 51-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Adairville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
