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Incident
Chief of Police Alvin Barrett suffered a fatal heart attack shortly after struggling with a suspect he was attempting to arrest at approximately 6:30 pm.
He was investigating a disturbance at the St. Cloud Hotel on the 800 block of Hannah Street. He was attempting to arrest a subject involved in the disturbance but the man resisted and began to struggle with Chief Barrett.
After subduing the man, Chief Barrett returned to the borough hall where he began to feel ill and collapsed. He was transported to Phillipsburg State General Hospital where he passed away several hours later.
The man he was struggling with was arrested and charged with assault and battery.
Chief Barrett had served with the Houtzdale Borough Police Department for 17 months and had previously served with the Pennsylvania State Police.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
You barely got started.
Chief of Police Barrett gave the Houtzdale Borough Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Houtzdale community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Barrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Alvin is the only officer of Houtzdale Borough Police Department remembered here.
Alvin is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Alvin is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Alvin is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1965, 3 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1965, 15 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1965, 15 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 34th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Alvin was 60. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Alvin had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Alvin was 60. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Alvin had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Alvin was 60. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Alvin had served 1.4 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
September holds 7.6% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Fridays: 13.6%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Fridays: 15.8%.
September holds 8.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.8%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Houtzdale Borough Police Department. The weapon recorded was person, in 100% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.9% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16.1% of these deaths.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 16% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Houtzdale Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.