Chief of Police Richard Lee "Red" Barnes

Richard Lee "Red" Barnes

Chief of Police Richard Barnes died from complications as a result of contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.

Chief Barnes had served with the Newbern Police Department for 42 years and seven years as the Chief of Police. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, four sons, 15 grandchildren, and 18 great-grandchildren.

The Effects of COVID on Law Enforcement

Beginning in early 2020, thousands of law enforcement officers and other first responders throughout the country began to contract COVID-19 during the worldwide pandemic. Due to the nature of their job, law enforcement officers were required to work and interact with the community even as the majority of the country was self-quarantined. As a result, hundreds of officers died from COVID-related illnesses and other complications.

Corrections agencies, in particular, suffered tremendous losses due to the constant and close proximity between the corrections officers and large inmate populations. Since March 2020, ODMP has verified that over 900 law enforcement officers have died as the result of a confirmed or presumed exposure while on duty and continues to work with hundreds of other agencies that have suffered a COVID-related death.

Visit ODMP's COVID-19 memorial listing every officer who has died as a result of a confirmed or presumed exposure.