Police Officer Eric Cecil Barker, Sr., DeKalb County Police Department, Georgia

Police Officer Eric Cecil Barker, Sr.

DeKalb County Police Department, Georgia

End of Watch Wednesday, January 16, 2008

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Eric Cecil Barker, Sr.

Police Officer Eric Barker and Police Officer Ricky Bryant were shot and killed while working an off-duty, uniformed security detail at an apartment complex in Decatur.

Both officers were patrolling the 176-unit apartment complex when they received a report of a suspicious person at 4371 Glenwood Road. When they arrived at the location a struggle resulted with the suspect who managed to gain control of one of their service weapons and opened fire, killing both officers.

A tow truck driver who happened across the scene called 911 approximately 10 minutes later.

The suspect was apprehended several days later after he was turned in by his girlfriend. He was charged with two counts of felony murder and possession of a gun by a convicted felon. He was found guilty on October 12th, 2012, and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.

Officer Barker was a U.S. Army veteran and had served with the DeKalb County Police Department for 4 years. He is survived by his wife and four children.

Bio

Age 33
Tour 4 years
Badge 2351
Military Veteran

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Officer's handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

secondary employment, suspicious person

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Most Recent Reflection

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Can't believe it's been almost 17 years my friend.
We trained together in the Army while stationed in Maryland, and then by a strange twist of fate wound up being police academy classmates several years later in Georgia.
I made the decision to put down the badge and pursue other employment, but continued (even until this day) to pray often for my former colleagues.
The night I got the call that your watch had come to an end, I almost decided to rejoin the department, thinking somehow if I had still been there I could have had your six.
Continue to rest in peace. Wishing God's continued covering over your family.

(Former) Detective Herschel Grangent Jr.
DeKalb County Police Department

January 2, 2025