Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Joann, it's so hard to believe that you've been gone for almost 8 years now. I sit back and remember when I worked fire scenes with you and how you would always greet us with a big smile and always joking around with everyone. The one that sticks out in my mind the most is the structure fire in Lenox a year or 2 before you passed. Edgar Springs was called in for mutual aid and the house was fully engulfed. I was talking to Bob Gately and you came over and started to joke around with him. Out of no where ammo rounds that were in the basement of the home started going off and you made the comment that you would never mouth off to Bob again. We all miss you Joann, but God had bigger plans for you,now you are protecting the gates of heaven. Rest in peace friend,we miss you...

Sarah

December 4, 2010

Chief Deputy Barnes,
On today, the 7th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Dent County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous

December 10, 2009

You have not been forgotten. Continue to keep watch over all of your loved ones and those still out on patrol guarding over the Thin Blue Line.

Bob Gordon
Father of Chicago Officer: Michael P. Gordon, EOW: 8/8/04

December 10, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with your loved ones and friends at the end of the sixth year of your EOW. Continue to keep watch over them and those still out on patrol watching over the Thin Blue Line. You will never be forgotten.

James Sheppard
Father of Sgt. Jason L. Sheppard EOW 12/7/06

December 10, 2008

Chief Deputy Sharon Joann Barnes,

To be have been fired upon in surprise is the work of a coward. You are a Hero among Heros and will stand in our view as nothing less than a valiant and fearless soldier of the law. We regret the loss of a sister in uniform and honor your memory with a final salute.

Cpl. Ralph D. Fiorenza (Ret.)
Pennsylvania State Police

September 6, 2008

You are remembered today Chief Deputy and thank you for your service

Pat Van Den Berghe, Manchester, NH
Neighbors for a Better Manchester, NH

December 6, 2007

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

December 6, 2007

Joann,
You will FOREVER be missed by all who knew and loved you.Dent County lost one of the finest officers that ever wore a badge when they lost you...Rest in peace my friend.

Donna Hutson
Tim Tucker Bail Bonds , Farmington Missouri

August 17, 2007

Joann was so wonderful and such a great person. She was tough, but also a big softy. She is dearly missed by all who knew her.

Amanda Baum Taylor
Friend

June 17, 2007

Thank you for your dedication, charity and service. May God bless you and your family. Gone but not forgotten. You are a true hero.

Wife and mother in law of LEO's

December 10, 2006

Fallen but NEVER forgotten.

Joanie
Mother, daughter, sister, and granddau. of LEO's

December 7, 2006

I first met Joanne about 25 years ago. She was active in the fire department at that time, and she married a patrolman, Bud Barnes and I would see her at city council meetings I attended with me dad.

The thing I remember that my Dad Curt Shaver had an ENORMOUS respect for Joanne both as a public servant (a feat not easily achieved) and as a person. I remember going back to Salem once and talking to Joanne at the Sherrif's Department. I clumsily inquired about how her husband Bud was doing, unaware he had died of cancer.

In typical fashion, Joanne showed class, humor, and insurmountable courage and told me the news, and even made an effort to ask how I had been doing. I felt awkward, bu she made it ok. Like she always did.

I happened to be home in Kansas City on the morning when the news reported an officer involved shooting that morning in Dent County. I knew it would be someone I knew. It really hurt when I found out it was Joanne. But at the same time, it didn't surprise me that Joanne had shown the courage to take this situation head-on.

RIP, Joanne. You are missed.

Eric Shaver
Son of former Salem Chief of Police

October 31, 2006

I think James Cambell said it all in his reflection.G-d Bless 'Joann' Barnes.May you Rest in Peace.

October 11, 2006

God Speed, Sister.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

July 11, 2006

I'm a 15 year old girl from Salem, this was a terrible time for my step dad Patrick Burton he was her nephew and i am his step daughter. Aunt JoAnn you'll never know how much we all miss you. Just the other day Patrick and i were driving down an older road and he stopped just to show me some of your old land, i have to say it brought a tear to my eye! I love you and miss you more than you'll ever know! And i'm not sad nor ashamed when i tell people the story of your passing, because i'm proud to be part of your family and i know that you are a Hero! The whole family misses you and loves you very much please know that! XOXO Courtni

Courtni
just family

February 21, 2006

joann, it's been two years since your death and i still expect to hear your voice calling in "611, dent county." you have given so much to the people of dent county and your presence remains with us still. we love you and miss you.

February 21, 2005

I visit the odmp.org site often. I was drawn to read Chief Deputy Sheriff Barnes' memorial after I read a story in today's edition of (the online site for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.) The story was about Joann's niece who is a St. Louis County Police Officer. Although her niece comes from a family of many police officers, it was Joann's stories of her work as a deputy sheriff that inspired her niece to join the police force.

It is a tribute to her that even though she made the ultimate sacrifice, she influenced another person to serve their community as a police officer. I am sorry that I will never get to know Joann personally. However, I have met numerous people like her in this profession and my condolences go out to her friends, family and co-workers. They have lost a true hero. She not only served as a police officer, but gave much of her time, talents and treasure to her community to benefit others. She has earned her place in heaven.

Lt. John Messmer #164
Johnson County, KS Sheriff's Office

November 25, 2004

Words cannot express my gratitude to the people who put this site together and maintain it, and to the Sunrise Beach Assist. Chief, who left such a fine account of the funeral.
JoAnn was much closer to me than my own family, as was Bud. It is a year and a half after her murder and I still cannot hold back tears as I reflect on her passing. I was with the family near JoAnn's casket when the final call was made and couldn't hear the words, so I'm especially grateful for the Campbell's accounting.
JoAnn and Bud took me in as one of their own in 1988 when I joined the Lenox Rural Fire Department. For several years when money was short, JoAnn and Bud would wait for me to arrive at their house after work so they could take me out to dinner, usually at an all-you-can-eat buffet--often my only meal for the day. If I needed money, they paid me to clean their house or work on their farm. When their friends or family needed money, they would go to the bank and take out a loan to help them. I went with JoAnn to Springfield when she bought Truck 6 for the LRFD, and when she paid to have Truck 1 refurbished (she had bought it as well).
There's years of memories that JoAnn provided, but the best was her friendship. Perhaps I can write more later.

T. J. Bennett

Former Lieutenant/Chaplain T. J. Bennett
Lenox Rural Fire Department

July 22, 2004

Joann was a neat lady, and I had the pleasure to work with her on the child abuse task force for Central Missouri. Joann took her training and job to heart and gave every case her all. She will be dearly missed.

Deputy Theresa Schrimpsher
King County Sheriff Department

June 28, 2004

I stop by this website often after the death of two dear friends with the NCSHP (Troopers Calvin Taylor E.O.W. October 3, 2001 and Anthony Cogdill E.O.W. May 30, 2003).

We all grieve over the lives lost in the line of duty. I hope you can find some comfort knowing that there are countless prayers that go out for your family.

These are senseless tragedies that never seem to stop. God Bless the men and women who continue to serve their communities in our great Nation.

...Gone, but never Forgotten....

Marti (EMT-Paramedic)
Haywood Co EMS (NC)

April 4, 2004

To my once neighboring county officer, I will always miss you.

Patorlman Gary L Gore
Sainte Genevieve Police Dept.

January 1, 2004

at time like now i find myself thinking about joann and her family. though its been a year it still seems like yesterday. i had the pleasure to work with joann for 4 years. Never was there a time that i could not her for assistance or just to talk. she helped me through some rough times in my life in that short 4 years. Joann you will never be forgotten!!! Rest in peace and god bless your family.

misty land #608
former communication officer dent county sheriffs office

December 31, 2003

How terrible-to be assaulted by the very people we try to help.
Rest easy, Sister, you are not forgotten.

Monroe Co. Sheriff Dept. Bloomington, In.

December 10, 2003

December 10, 2003

Remembering you on the anniversary of your death. May God comfort
all those who are still grieving your passing. Life is difficult at times
and the Lord Jesus wants to help carry our burdens. He gives us many
beautiful promises in His Word to help us through our valleys. I pray you
will feel His presence and know His peace. God bless!

Lynn Kole
Washington State

December 9, 2003

You are remembered. My condolence to all who loved and knew Sharon. 08/25/2003

Sr. trooper Keith Miller
Oregon State Police

August 25, 2003