Officer Down Memorial Page

To Warden Decker and His Family,

You are not forgotten. Thank you and your family for your sacrafice in protecting the citizens and natural resources of Texas. Texas is a better place because of men like you.

Michael Keck, Criminal Investigator
Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice-OIG
May 2, 2012

I knew Barry as few had. We had spent 25-years together. His life was his kids, his job and his friends.
He never complained when getting a call in the middle of the night, nor dressed to go out with friends and family when seeing a spotlighter, and changing his direction in pursuit. Life was always exciting, not knowing what would happen next.
He loved the squirrel camp, and spending time with those that meant so much to him. Several have passed since. He complained little, and gave a lot. He served his country in the army, backed up his friends, and helped others in the community.
Its been 20-years this May. He has missed his daughter and son getting married and having 5-grand
children. One was even named after him (William Barry Decker). He has big shoes to fill, but he is also a fine young man. I only wish Barry could see them all. The girls are all great. They will never know the man we knew. I would give anything for him to return and be with his grandchildren. They are missing so much in life not having him.
His children only had 18, and 20 years with him. I sometimes wonder about the things they do not even know about their dad. I try and think of what I should be telling them. He was great, kind, thoughtful, loving, sharing, forgiving, but most of all he loved them dearly.
You will be remembered forever.......


Mary Jane Decker Davis

Anonymous
April 7, 2010

DAD,HERE IT IS GOING ON TWENTY YEARS,SINCE YOU BROUGHT ME GAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I SAW YOU,AND I REMEMBER IT OH SO WELL.YOU ONCE SAID,THAT IF YOU COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN ONE PERSONS LIFE,YOU COULD REST IN PEACE.WELL DAD YOU MADE A BIG IMPACT ON ALOT OF PEOPLE,YOU WOULDN'T BELEAVE JUST HOW MANY.IT'S HARD FOR ME TO AND I'M HERE HEARING FROM ALOT OF THEM FROM TIME TO TIME.THE MAIN REASON THAT YOU WILL NOT EVER BE FORGOTTEN IS NOT BECAUSE OF THE JOB YOU HAD,IT IS BECAUSE YOU WERE A GREAT MAN.YOU NOW 4 GRANDCHILDREN,THAT HEAR ABOUT YOU OH SO OFTEN.I WISH THAT YOU COULD KNOW THEM,BECAUSE THEY KNOW WHO YOU ARE.REST IN PEACE DAD,WITH ALL OUR LOVE,
SUNSHINE

BRAD DECKER
SON OF A GREAT MAN
January 19, 2010

Rest in peace brother and thank you for your service. Keep watch over the rest of us as we protect our nations natural resources.

Gordon Hobbs
NC Game Warden
January 2, 2009

RIP

Anonymous
September 9, 2008

I was on leave up at my parents house in Henderson Tx, when I heard of the death of these 2 wardens. Made me think again how dangerous serving the public and ones state and country can be. Thank God they passed doing what they loved. Since then I have had a child who is very into nature and conservation. The Game Wardens have had a tremendous impact on his education....

Mike, Msgt USAF Ret
Air Force
June 22, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1993 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
March 5, 2008

It is quickly approaching 17 years since you went to heaven! This seems to be an important year because you were in law enforcement for 17 years. WOW! It seems like yesterday when I was the 18 year old girl begging for my dad to come back. Thank you for all you did for me and our family for the short time you were here. Oh the things that you have missed. You are still loved by many and will never soon be forgotten. Rest in Peace Daddy!

Shannon Decker Hodges
daughter
March 4, 2008

Barry was a very good friend of mine for years when i worked for the panola county sheriffs dept and we spent may happy hours hunting and camping in the sabine river bottom.he was a fine officer and he is still missed by many of his old colleagues. Barry i salute you my friend.

Lt.Leon Carpenter (Retired)
Gregg County Sheriffs Dept,Longview,Tx.
May 4, 2007

After 15 years I would like for the famililes of these two game wardens to know that the sacrifice these men made is not forgotten.
It is my prayer that God continue to pour out His endless love and blessings.

Patrolman Doug Hutchison
Irving Police Department, Texas, retired.
May 26, 2005

Rest in peace brother. Family, friends and co-workers of Officer Decker look to the Lord in prayer to ease your pain. You are all in my thoughts and prayers. GOD BLESS.

DFC Vernon Brown
Orange County Sheriff's Office, Fl
November 26, 2003

Barry was as nice of a person as you would ever meet.He loved his family,community,and his profession.I first met Barry when I was in the seventh grade and he gave a presentation to my school.I well remember him showing us the illegal fishing devices and nets that he had confiscated.Barry cared a whole lot about the kids in the community and bent over backwards to help them.My second encounter with Warden Decker was when I was fishing one morning.He dealt with me in a very profesional manner.When he saw that I was not violating any laws we chated for a few mins and he went on about his business.Barry was one heck of a nice guy.May God bless him and his loved ones.

Anonymous
November 12, 2003

Rest in peace. God bless the family of this fallen Warden.

private citizen