Special Officer John Phillip Barber, Dallas Terminal Railway Company Police Department, Railroad Police

Special Officer John Phillip Barber

Dallas Terminal Railway Company Police Department, Railroad Police

End of Watch Friday, September 21, 1945

John Phillip Barber

Special Officer John P. Barber responded to a disturbance on a city transit bus.

The bus driver identified a female as causing the disturbance and she was arrested by Officer Barber. As the officer was escorting the prisoner from the scene a crowd gathered and started throwing rocks at the officer. Officer Barber was then shot by a male suspect as the female prisoner escaped.

The suspect was charged with murder and sentenced to life in prison. The female prisoner was arrested and charged with disturbing the peace and aggravated assault on a police officer. No disposition was found on her case. Another man was convicted of causing a riot but his case was reversed on appeal.

Officer Barber was survived by his wife and one son. He was buried in Laurel Land Memorial Park Cemetery in Dallas.

Bio

Age 51
Tour Not available
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Location Texas
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender sentenced to life in prison

Most Recent Reflection

View all 8 Reflections

I can only hope and pray that the despicable swines who attacked you and the one who murdered you faced true justice, if not in this life, then in the next.

On this 70th anniversary of your tragic death, I believe you are in Heaven resting peacefully for all eternity. Your attackers are father south, Brother as they should be.

God Bless Officer Barber.

Ptl. Jim Leahy, Jr.
Harvard University Police Dept.

September 21, 2015