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Incident
Location: Ohio Incident Date: Tuesday, July 27, 1920 Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: Sentenced to life
Detective David Barnes was shot and killed while patrolling the New York Central Railroad tracks in Elyria, Ohio.
Earlier in the evening he had arrested three transients and had delivered them to the "Bum Cell" at the Elyria Police Department to be held overnight. After delivering the prisoners he returned to the East Bridge Street railroad undercut at about 10:25 pm to search for two more transients he had seen there.
As he walked the tracks a man hiding between nearby boxcars suddenly opened fire from ambush, striking Detective Barnes in the pelvis and knocking him down. The man then shot him in the head at point blank range. He was transported to a local hospital where he died at approximately 1:15 am.
The suspect who shot him was a notorious bank robber in the area who was wanted for the murder of Detective Patrick Gaffney of the East Cleveland Police Department. He was arrested following Detective Barnes' murder. He was subsequently convicted of Detective Gaffney's murder and sentenced to life in prison. He was never tried for murdering Detective Barnes.
Detective Barnes had served with the New York Central Railroad Police Department for four years and had previously served as a deputy game warden.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and four children.
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.
Detective Barnes gave the New York Central Railroad Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Barnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
New York Central Railroad Police Department has lost 14 officers; 8 of them killed feloniously.
David is one of 739 officers killed feloniously in NY, 34.7% of the 2,132 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
David 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 1920, 2 officers at New York Central Railroad Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1920, 8 officers in NY were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 2001, with 32.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 48. Of the 8 killed feloniously at New York Central Railroad Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 46.5; the middle age was 42.5. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
David was 48. Of the 671 killed feloniously in NY whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 43; the middle age was 35. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
David was 48. 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. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 48. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 25% of these deaths at New York Central Railroad Police Department; January holds the most, 25%. Wednesdays: 25%.
July holds 9.1% of these deaths in NY; September holds the most, 13.8%. Wednesdays: 9.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 14 deaths at New York Central Railroad Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 87.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 34.7% of all 2,132 deaths in NY, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 3.7% 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.
His people
New York Central Railroad Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, David among them.
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Clyde F. Bartlett
Jun 10, 1919
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John Boss Aug 24, 1919
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Thomas T. Cook Jul 12, 1920
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David H. Barnes Jul 28, 1920
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Louis F. Schroeder
Jan 17, 1921
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Augustus E. Long
Jan 17, 1921
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William F. Hillen Feb 24, 1922
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William M. Burke Aug 29, 1922
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Louis L. Shirley
Apr 14, 1923
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Bernard J. Olszewski
Apr 7, 1929
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Frederick Glover
Feb 16, 1930
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William E. Deal
Oct 11, 1933
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Adolph Fredick MacLemale
Dec 22, 1935
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Humphrey Akin See
Apr 19, 1940
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 47-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from New York Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
