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Incident
Lieutenant Larry Barger was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance while off duty. He was friends with a family whose wife called him and asked him to speak to her husband. Lieutenant Barger went to the house and was sitting in a chair when the husband shot him in the back with a .30-.30 rifle. He died from his wounds three months later after four major surgeries. His killer pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to thirty years in prison on November 20th, 1974. He was paroled on June 17th, 1986.
Survivors
Lieutenant Barger was survived by his wife and two 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 Lieutenant Barger gave the Mooresville Police Department 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Mooresville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Lieutenant Barger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mooresville Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Larry is one of 385 officers killed feloniously in NC, 58% of the 664 remembered there.
Larry is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Larry 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 1974, 6 officers in NC were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 127 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 12.
In 1974, 162 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1974, 178 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Larry was 36. Of the 370 killed feloniously in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 39. Larry had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Larry was 36. 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. Larry had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Larry was 36. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Larry had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 7.3% of these deaths in NC; May holds the most, 11.4%. Saturdays: 19.5%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Mooresville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 58% of all 664 deaths in NC, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.8% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Mooresville Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Larry among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Mooresville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
