Peoria Park District Police Department, Illinois
End of Watch: Wednesday, August 24, 1938
Age: 34
Tour of Duty: 1 month, 2 weeks
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Motorcycle crash
Date of Incident: August 24, 1938
Weapon Used: Not available
Suspect Info: Not available
Officer Charles Barden was killed in a motorcycle accident while testing out his police motorcycle.
Officer Barden had been experiencing mechanical difficulties with the motorcycle and was told to have it taken to maintenance for repair. He was testing his motorcycle when it suddenly went off the side of the road. Before Officer Barden was able to regain control he hit a parked truck and was killed.
Officer Barden had served with the Peoria Park District Police Department for only six weeks. He was survived by his wife, mother, three brothers and a sister.