Officer Larry Barkwell, Atlanta Police Department, Georgia

Officer Larry Barkwell

Atlanta Police Department, Georgia

End of Watch Tuesday, June 19, 1973

Larry Barkwell

Officer Barkwell was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance.

Officer Barkwell was attacked along with other officers by several members of a religious cult who had been harassing pedestrians who refused to buy their sect’s magazine. They gained control of his weapon, a Smith and Wesson .38 and shot him twice in the back. The group was charged with simple battery. The shooter was later killed while being evicted and another officer, Deputy Marshal David Larry Folds of the Fulton County Marshal's Department was killed in that incident.

Officer Barkwell was a U.S Air Force Veteran and had served with the Atlanta Police Department for five years and only two weeks after being assigned to a newly-created downtown foot patrol. He had also been a Captain with the Powder Springs Police Department for five and a half years. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, son, and step-son.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 10 years, 6 months
Badge 1995
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Later killed by another officer

Most Recent Reflection

View all 20 Reflections

Larry, I will never forget that day on Broad Street in the summer of 1973. My partner and I had just finished lunch at Yorks Pool Hall on Pryor Street when the 63 went out. I have an indelible memory of the scene that day. It's amazing that I think about you often after almost 43 years. I pray that your wife and children know how much you meant to your brothers in blue.

And to your children: Your dad was an excellent police officer, a man's man and a kind soul. He had a great sense of humor and confident assurance about himself. He was an imposing figure and there was always a sense of relief when he was my back-up.
God bless you and may you proudly carry on his legacy.

Ptl Grady Staton
Cobb County Police Department

April 14, 2016