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John Phillip Barber
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Paroled in 1957
Special Officer John P. Barber responded to a disturbance on a city transit bus.
The bus driver identified a female as causing the disturbance and she was arrested by Officer Barber. As the officer was escorting the prisoner from the scene a crowd gathered and started throwing rocks at the officer. Officer Barber was then shot by a male suspect as the female prisoner escaped. The man was arrested.
On January 3, 1946, the suspect, 26, was convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to 5 years to life. He was paroled on April 18, 1957.
The female prisoner was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and aggravated assault on a police officer. No disposition was found on her case. Another man was convicted of causing a riot but his case was reversed on appeal.
Officer Barber was survived by his wife and one son. He was buried in Laurel Land Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas.
Survivors
Officer Barber was survived by his wife and one son.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Special Officer Barber served with the Dallas Terminal Railway Company Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Barber.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Dallas Terminal Railway Company Police Department remembered here.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1945, 8 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 81st heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1945, 68 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 105th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1945, 70 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 108th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 51. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37.
John was 51. 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.
John was 51. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
September holds 9% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Fridays: 15.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Dallas Terminal Railway Company Police Department. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 24-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Dallas Terminal Railway Company Police Department are honored on badge.nw.