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Incident
Deputy Game Warden Gordon Barnes was shot and killed while investigating a hunting complaint near Pocomoke City on the Eastern Shore. While returning from church Warden Barnes noticed a subject acting suspicious and entering a field with a shotgun approximately one mile east of Pocomoke City on the Pocomoke City-Snow Hill Highway. The warden was dropped off by his wife to investigate further and was found dead one day later. The subject was convicted of Deputy Warden Barne's murder and hanged on December 29th, 1945. Deputy Barnes had served with the Maryland Natural Resources Police for only 10 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and infant child.
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.
Deputy Game Warden Barnes served with the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
Thank you for your service to the Annapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Game Warden Barnes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Maryland Natural Resources Police has lost 5 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Gordon is one of 195 officers killed feloniously in MD, 51.6% of the 378 remembered there.
Gordon is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gordon 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, 1 officer in MD was killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 104 years on record. The heaviest was 2000, with 6.
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
Gordon was 39. Of the 178 killed feloniously in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 28 and 43.8; the middle age was 35. Gordon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Gordon was 39. 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. Gordon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gordon was 39. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gordon had served 0.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 10.3% of these deaths in MD; June holds the most, 11.8%. Mondays: 16.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 20% of all 5 deaths at Maryland Natural Resources Police, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.6% of all 378 deaths in MD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 5.1% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Maryland Natural Resources Police has 5 officers remembered here, Gordon among them.
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
4 officers from Maryland Natural Resources Police are honored on badge.nw.
