Incident
Sergeant Roger Barrett was stabbed and shot to death while attempting to arrest a subject who had just stabbed another man at the local bus station. The subject stabbed Sergeant Barrett and then began to struggle with him. The man was able to gain control of Sergeant Barrett's service weapon and shot him. The suspect was originally convicted of capital murder but the sentence was commuted to life in prison. The 60-year-old suspect was denied parole for the eleventh time in June 2020. His next parole hearing will be in June 2023. Sergeant Barrett had served with the Waco Police Department for 18 years.
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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.
Patrol Sergeant Barrett gave the Waco Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waco community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrol Sergeant Barrett.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Waco Police Department has lost 11 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Roger is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Roger is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Roger 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 1976, 1 officer at Waco Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1976, 13 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Roger was 42. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Waco Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 42; the middle age was 39. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roger was 42. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Roger was 42. 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. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Roger was 42. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Roger had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 11.1% of these deaths at Waco Police Department; February holds the most, 22.2%. Saturdays: 22.2%.
June holds 10.3% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Saturdays: 16.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 81.8% of all 11 deaths at Waco Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 11.1% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Waco Police Department has 11 officers remembered here, Roger among them.
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Laban John Hoffman Jan 6, 1871
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Alpheus D. Neill Feb 6, 1877
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William Davis Mitchell
Oct 27, 1900
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Charles M. Gantz
Aug 8, 1923
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Urby Joe Thompson
Jul 24, 1933
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J. M. Baskin
Aug 28, 1936
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Elmer Huddleston
Jul 2, 1940
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Holly Ray Anderson
Oct 8, 1940
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Donald Hartley Basquette
Feb 11, 1969
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Roger E. Barrett
Jun 12, 1976
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John Robert Vicha
Aug 29, 1989
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 50-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
10 officers from Waco Police Department are honored on badge.nw.







