Prev
Incident
Chief of Police Barney Phelan succumbed to injuries sustained nine days earlier when his department vehicle was struck head-on by another vehicle.
He was returning to Tracy from a conference had attended when the accident occurred.
Chief Phelan had served in law enforcement for 28 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtq4sw9nfxsns1s2bb5tx- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Barney. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
28 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Phelan gave the Tracy Police Department 28 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Tracy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Phelan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Tracy Police Department has lost 5 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Barney is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Barney is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Barney is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1936, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1936, 88 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 16th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1936, 97 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 25th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Barney was 57. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Barney had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Barney was 57. 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. Barney had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Barney was 57. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Barney had served 28 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 16.3%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at Tracy Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 39.2% of all 1,839 deaths in CA, 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 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Tracy Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, Barney among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Tracy Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
