DeKalb County Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Monday, April 8, 1991
Add to My HeroesWade C. Barrett, Jr.
Officer Wade Barrett was shot and killed after he had responded to a call of an unknown disturbance at the Treehills Apartment complex on Treehills Parkway shortly before midnight.
As he pulled in he heard a woman scream from an upstairs apartment. As he entered the apartment he interrupted a home invasion robbery by five suspects posing as police officers and was shot. One of the rounds entered an opening in his vest and struck his heart.
He was transported to DeKalb Medical Center where he was pronounced dead at 12:13 am.
Officer Barrett had served with the DeKalb County Police Department for four years. He is survived by one son.
Bio
- Age 27
- Tour 4 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Sunday, April 7, 1991
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Arrested
Most Recent Reflection
View all 47 ReflectionsBrandon,
I stumbled across this page, preparing for my own father’s funeral. My dad was with DKPD for 31 years until he retired in 2020. I was 9 when your dad was killed. Our dads went to the police academy together. My father, Ron Gaither, responded to that call that day, but your dad went in first. My dad never forgave himself. He loved your dad, and never stopped talking about what a great person he was. I’m sorry you had to grow up without him. May they rest in peace together now.
Leah Gaither
Daughter of DKPD Sergeant Ronald Gaither
April 24, 2025
