Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, Florida
End of Watch: Saturday, November 21, 1987
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 21, 1987
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Paroled in 2004
Wildlife Officer Ray Barnes was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a person illegally hunting deer along the Shoal River near the Okaloosa County-Walton County line.
The suspect managed to gain control of the officer's handgun and shot him.
The suspect was convicted of third-degree murder and sentenced to 30 years. He was paroled on October 31st, 2004. On December 20th, 2007, he was returned to the Florida Penitentiary to serve a term of 35 years after his third conviction for DUI, resisting and eluding officers, and driving with a revoked license.
Officer Barnes was survived by his wife and two daughters.