Joliet Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Sunday, August 8, 1954
Age: 40
Tour of Duty: 12 years
Badge Number: 134
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: August 3, 1954
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Ticketed
Patrolman Louis Barney succumbed to injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident five days earlier.
Patrolman Barney was riding his motorcycle on a special traffic detail for the Pageant for Progress. His motorcycle collided with the left rear fender of a vehicle traveling westbound on Jefferson Street. The driver was later ticketed for failing to signal a left turn. Officer Barney was able to walk to a vehicle and was taken to St. Joseph's Hospital by an unidentified motorist.
Once in the hospital, he fell into unconsciousness due to a subdural hemorrhage. Emergency surgery was performed to remove a blood clot from the brain, and remained in critical condition until he succumbed to his injuries.
Patrolman Barney was a WWII veteran and had served with the Joliet Police Department for 12 years. An avid sportsman, he carried the principles of the game into his police work. He often made friends of those he had arrested, and loved children. His two daughters were his constant companions. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, parents, and two siblings.