Died:
January 17, 2016
Age: 44
Unified Police Department
Homicide: Shooting
Officer Douglas S. Barney II was shot and killed January 17, 2016, while investigating a traffic crash near 2160 East 4500 South.
Witnesses told officers that a man and a woman had gotten out of one of the vehicles and fled on foot. While searching for them Officer Barney encountered the male suspect in a neighborhood a few blocks away.
The 31-year-old male suspect fired one round at Officer Barney, striking him in the head and killing him instantly.
When the suspect was located by other officers a few moments later, he opened fire on them. Officer John Richey was shot in both legs but later recovered. The suspect was shot and killed.
An 18-year veteran of law enforcement, Officer Barney is survived by his wife and three children.
The bronze memorial name plaque of Officer Douglas S. Barney II is sponsored by Captain John Garavaglia (Golden Police Department, Colorado, retired), in memory of his grandfather, George Garavaglia, Helper City Police Department, 1930's.