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Incident
Captain Roland Barbeau was killed in an automobile accident while transporting prisoners from Ridgecrest to Bakersfield. Captain Barbeau and a fellow officer were transporting prisoners when a tire blew out and their vehicle overturned. The two prisoners helped make the officers comfortable and walked two miles to call for help. Then they returned to the wreckage to offer more assistance. Captain Barbeau was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Captain Barbeau had been with the Kern County Sheriff's Office for 18 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, son, and daughter.
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.
Captain Barbeau gave the Kern County Sheriff's Office 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bakersfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Captain Barbeau.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kern County Sheriff's Office has lost 28 officers; 18 of them lost to accidents.
Roland is one of 720 officers lost to accidents in CA, 39.2% of the 1,839 remembered there.
Roland is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roland is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 1 officer at Kern County Sheriff's Office was lost to accidents, the 4th heaviest of 14 years on record. The heaviest was 1986, with 3.
In 1953, 4 officers in CA were lost to accidents, the 83rd heaviest of 128 years on record. The heaviest was 1969, with 14.
In 1953, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1953, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Roland was 45. Of the 18 lost to accidents at Kern County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 45.8; the middle age was 37.5. Roland had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6.5 years.
Roland was 45. Of the 690 lost to accidents in CA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 42.8; the middle age was 35. Roland had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Roland was 45. 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. Roland had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roland was 45. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Roland had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 5.6% of these deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office; August holds the most, 33.3%. Thursdays: 5.6%.
February holds 7.9% of these deaths in CA; August holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
February holds 7.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 64.3% of all 28 deaths at Kern County Sheriff's Office, the 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 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Kern County Sheriff's Office has 28 officers remembered here, Roland among them.
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William Stewart Mettler Nov 6, 1873
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Oliver McCoy Jul 3, 1891
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John L. Powers
Jul 3, 1891
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William E. Tibbet
Apr 19, 1903
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Howard Hamilton Knott
Oct 6, 1945
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Clayton Hall Yearick
Nov 15, 1949
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Roland Lucien Barbeau
Feb 26, 1953
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Wayne Herman Trudell
Jun 4, 1962
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Robert Paul Grabner
Jul 11, 1962
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Samuel Harold Moore
Jul 11, 1962
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Frederic C. Scheberies
Jan 11, 1964
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Richard O. Slates Dec 21, 1966
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Donald Durr Hodges
Apr 14, 1969
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Terry Lee Greer
Aug 7, 1973
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Charles James Banning
Oct 23, 1974
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Michael Ronald Wilson
Oct 11, 1981
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Ray Leonard Mallory
Aug 16, 1983
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Lansing Lloyd Warren
Aug 16, 1983
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Michael Jay Bentley
Oct 19, 1983
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Ray Delton Bockman
Aug 16, 1986
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Marvin Ray Kline
Aug 16, 1986
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Douglas Robert Moonen
Aug 16, 1986
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Richard Robert McHale
Mar 3, 1989
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James Lee Williams
Oct 19, 1991
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Daniel Lee Archuleta
Sep 12, 2004
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William Joseph Hudnall, Jr.
Nov 14, 2006
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James Edward Throne
May 23, 2008
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Phillip Jesse Campas
Jul 25, 2021
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
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