Atlanta Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch: Monday, September 21, 1931
Age: 61
Tour of Duty: 32 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: September 21, 1931
Weapon Used: Handgun; .38 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Lieutenant John Barfield was shot and killed by a patrolman whom he was preparing to discipline for drinking.
Lieutenant Barfield had picked up the patrolman, who was making his rounds, and was driving the patrolman to the station when the began to struggle inside the car. The patrolman then shot Lieutenant Barfield in the head, killing him, near the intersection of Peachtree Street and Fifth Street.
The patrolman, 61, was arrested and charged with murdering Lieutenant Barfield. On December 3rd, 1931, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. On December 20, 1935, his sentence was commuted to present service.
Lieutenant Barfield became an officer with the Atlanta Police Department in 1899. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1913.