Seattle Police Department, Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, August 13, 2006
Age: 26
Tour of Duty: 7 months
Badge Number: 6897
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: August 13, 2006
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years
Officer Joselito Barber was killed when his patrol car was broadsided at the intersection of Yesler Street and 23rd Avenue at 4 am.
The driver of a vehicle was traveling at an estimated 80 mph on a city street.
The driver was wanted on four warrants, including a DUI warrant, when she ran the red light and struck Officer Barber's patrol car. She pleaded guilty to vehicular homicide in September 2007 and was sentenced to serve 20 years in November 2007.
Officer Barber had graduated from the police academy only five months earlier. He is survived by his fiancee, mother, father, stepmother, brother, and sister.
He is buried at Washington Memorial Park in Seatac, Washington.