Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met Lito when he was a student in my squad. My first impression of him was that not only did he want to learn, but he was eager to learn. Lito always brought a smile and a friendly face to work.

I feel fortunate that I met Lito and sadden that more of us in the Seattle Police Department did not.

Salamat Lito!

Officer J. Legaspi
Seattle Police Department

August 16, 2006

Lito,

It's was a long time ago, maybe two years since I last saw you. I would have never thought it was my last. I was watching the evening news on King 5. I heard your name but it didn't register at the time because I knew you as "Lito". I then saw the video and I thought to myself...."could it be???". Then it registered, it was you. I am saddened that you are no longer with us. You were a good person. You cared.... You had so much more to offer. You have touched many lives including mine. I will remember you always as the fun loving person that you were. You, your family and friends will be in my prayers. May you rest in peace.

VS
Friend

August 16, 2006

To the Family of Officer Barber;
I personally did not know him, but just wanted to let you know that as a sister in the Lord that I will be praying for peace in your family. I know what it is to loose a loved one having lost two family members myself. I know that it is often times hard to hear, but the Good Lord tells us in his wort that in death we should celebrate life.
I will pray that you will hold on to this thought as you go through this trial and tough time in your life. May God give you confort and strength to go on one day at a time.
God bless yoy all. Your sister in the Lord, Coleen.

Coleen
Seattle Housing Authority

August 16, 2006

Officer Barber,

Many thanks to you on behalf of all of us who relied on your dedication to helping others. Our condolences to your family and friends. Peace be with you always.

Officer Justin M. Cripe (BLEA 587)
Evergreen State College Police Department

August 16, 2006

Officer Barber,

Rest in Peace... Your family in blue will take it from here

When God Made Peace Officers

When the Lord was creating peace officers, He was into his sixth day of overtime. An angel appeared and said,"You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one." And the Lord said,"Have you ever read the specs on this order? A peace officer has to be able to run five miles through alleys in the dark, scale walls, and enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch and not wrinkle his uniform. He has to be able to sit in an undercover car all day on a stake out, cover a homicide scene that night, canvass the neighborhood for witnesses and testify in court the next day. He has to be in top physical condition at all times, running on black coffee and half-eaten meals. And has to have six pairs of hands." The angel shook her head slowly and said,"Six pairs of hands, no way." "It's not the hands that are causing me all the problems," said the Lord,"it's the three pairs of eyes an officer has to have." "Thats the standard model?" asked the angel. The lord nodded. "One pair that sees through a bulge on a pocket before he asks,'May I see what's in there, sir?' (when he already knows and wishes he had taken that accounting job.) Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety. And another pair of eyes here in the front that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say,'you'll be alright ma'am,' when he knows it isn't so." "Lord," said the angel, touching his sleeve,"rest and work on this tomorrow." "I can't," responded the Lord,"I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound drunk into a patrol car without incident and feed a family of five on a civil service paycheck." The angel circled the model of the peace officer very slowly. "Can it think," she inquired. "You bet," declared the Lord with pride. "It can tell you the elements of a hundred crimes; recite Miranda warnings in its sleep; detain, investigate, search and arrest a gang member in the street in less time than it takes five learned judges to debate the legality of the stop, and still keeps a sense of humor. This officer also has phenomenal personality control. He can deal with crime scenes painted in hell, coax a confession from a child abuser, comfort a murder victim's family and then read in the daily paper how law enforcement isn't sensitive to the rights of criminal suspects." Finally the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the peace officer,"There's a leak," she pronounced. "I told you that you were trying to put too much into this model." "Thats not a leak," said the Lord,"it's a tear." "What's the tear for," asked the angel. "It's for bottled-up emotions, for fallen comrades, for commitment to that funny piece of cloth called the American flag, and for justice." "You're a genius," proclaimed the angel. The Lord looked somber. "I didn't put it there," He said.

Anonymous

Annie Pressey - Forensic Specialist II
Tallahassee Police Department

August 16, 2006

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. It is tragic to think of how preventable it could have been. I pray for the family and friends you left behind, that they would find comfort in the Lord during their grief. You went home to heaven on my Daddy's birthday...21 months after his own tragic death. Look him up, he's the one with a big smile, training with his K-9 partner, a black lab named Max who joined him a few months ago.
Rest in peace, you have deserved it. Thank you, Sir.

Lori Johnson Rowley, wife of NC LEO
Daughter of Fallen Hero, Sgt James Johnson, EOW 11/11/04, FCSO, NC

August 16, 2006

I know several of Officer Barber's police academy classmates. I've heard nothing but positive things about him. What a tragedy to lose such an outstanding young officer. My condolences and prayers go out to his family and loved ones.

Officer Sjon Stevens
Seattle Police Department

August 16, 2006

We will carry part of you in our hearts forever....

Godspeed - my brother......Your work here is done.....

See you in heaven.....

SCSO

Deputy
Snohomish Co Sheriffs Office

August 16, 2006

Rest in peace sir. Your sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Sgt. Banuelos
LAPD Southwest Div.

August 16, 2006

To the friends and family of OFC BARBER, my heart felt sympathies go out to you and your organizations, for someone so young to be taken in such a senseless act will leave questions to be answered for a long time, knowing that those in uniform will continue on in his memory hopefully will help to ease the pain.

Silverdale Washington born and raised

Senior Patrol Officer Kevin R Armstrong
Anchorage Police Department

August 16, 2006

Rest in Peace Brother. May God Bless Your Family and May You Watch Over All of Us As We Continue The Fight! Your Sacrifice Will Not Be Forgotten, Justice Will Be Done. You Served Well, Now Guard The Gates of Heaven and Guide Us, While Keeping Us Safe and Alert. May God Bless Every MOS. “Fidelis Ad Mortem”

PO
NORWICH PD, CT

August 16, 2006

In loving memory of P.O. Barber: Sometimes you get the bad guys and sometimes they get you. It turned my
stomach to see the twisted wreckage of your patrol car
on the news. Even Superman couldn't have survived
that one! From the outpouring of love and sympathy
from your friends, relatives and co-workers, it's easy to
see you were a valued comrade and decent person. My
heart goes out to your fiancee. You had so many happy
moments yet to experience and they were cut short in
such a tragic manner. Thanks for having the courage
to wear that badge and I know time won't diminish your
sacrifice. God bless your families in such a sorrowful
time. John 3:16
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

August 16, 2006

May God bless you, your family, fiance, friends and Seattle PD during this difficult time. Rest in peace.

CSO Lowery
Lakewood PD, WA

August 16, 2006

god bles you sir. thank you for your sacrifice.

ryan
Phoenix,Arizona

August 16, 2006

Thank you for your service Joselito, we will never forget you.

Officer Shawn Benshoof
Seattle Police

August 15, 2006

The tragic news I heard was overwhelming. It brings sadness that you have departed this earth so soon yet it also brings peace knowing you left doing what you love - to protect and serve.

I now reflect upon the good memories we had when I first met you at the University of Washington Bothell. I know you love cars as much as I do and we would have countless chats and lunch over how to go about improving and maintaining a hobby we both enjoyed. I had a habit of sleeping in but if I missed class you were always more than willing to fill me in on what I missed. You told me you had a goal and you would reach it no matter what. I was thrilled knowing you had reached the summit yet I knew you could have gone further and I knew you wanted more. I reflect upon the times you would spare the moments to chat when I was at Home Depot. I appreciate your friendship.

To the Family and Friends of Joselito; Lito is a Hero to us all. He will not be forgotten and his hope and dreams will continue to live on in us. It was an honor to have known Joselito "Lito" Barber. I send you all my condolences.

Rest In Peace JLB.

Duc B.

August 15, 2006

Officer Barber - you were taken far too soon, but you will never be forgotten. Thoughts and prayers to your family, friends, and to those in the department.

Pattie
Former Dispatcher

August 15, 2006

Jose, I am deeply saddened that you never got to realize your full potential both as a cop and in life.

To the two officers that arrived seconds later, you are the true professionals that I have always known you to be. You were exemplary in the most stressful of circumstances

August 15, 2006

Dearest Lito,

It took me by surprise to know you were no longer with us. The last time I saw you, you were working out,pumping away building your "guns" and preparing for the road that lead to your dream. And it brings comfort knowing you died doing what had worked so hard for, but the comfort is small compared to the pain in knowing you are no longer able to bless us with your pressance. My prayers and love go to you and your family, especially your fiance. You two found true in one another in this crazy world, and your lifetime together was cut short, and I can only hope she knows that you will be watching over her and all those that love you.
You will never be forgotten Lito.. you are forever our Angel in Blue...

C-
A friend and citizen of the City of Seattle..

Friend

August 15, 2006

Thank you for your service...rest easy

Footprinter

August 15, 2006

I remember the energy I came out of academy with, I hope I keep it until the end of my watch as did Joselito Barber. As to the family I am sorry for your loss. I never wish to place the black band on my badge for the loss of a brother but do it with honor.

Officer Jason Avery Class of 587
Port Townsend Police, PT WA

August 15, 2006

Rest in peace Brother Joselito, you are a true hero and will never be forgotten for your service and courage.

Son of G. Truman Wortham EOW 7/15/73

August 15, 2006

My sincere condolences to the family and friends of Officer Joselito Barber and to the entire Seattle Police Department. Thank you Ofc. Barber for your desire to become a servant of the people and for you ultimate sacrafice to the people of Seattle. Rest In Peace.

Ofc. Eric Chiang
San Francisco Police Department - Bayview District

August 15, 2006

When A Hero Leaves This Earth, Yes, It's Sad, But True..

All Too Many Times, The Hero Is Dressed In Blue.

" 1G2, 950... But Never Forgotten "

Rest In Peace, Officer Barber.

Dispatcher, Cassandra Wilton
Seattle Police Department, Communications Unit.

August 15, 2006

Joselito it seems like it was just yesterday that I called you and told you you had been selected to go to the academy. You left quite an impression on me and the rest of the background unit. It was an honor to have been your background investigator and welcome you to the blue family... you will not be forgotten.

Final Inspection
The Policeman stood and faced his God, Which must always come to pass.
He hoped his shoes were shining as brightly as his brass.

"Step forward now, officer. How shall I deal with You?
Have you always turned the other cheek? To my Church have you been true?"

The officer squared his shoulders and said, "No, Lord, I guess I ain't.
Cause those of us who carry badges can't always be a saint.

But I never took a penny that wasn't mine to keep,
Though I worked a lot of overtime when the bills just got too steep.

And I never passed a cry for help, though at times I shook with fear.
And sometimes, God forgive me, I wept unmanly tears.

I know I don't deserve a place among the people here.
They never wanted me around except to calm their fear.

If you've a place for me here, Lord, it needn't be so grand.
I've never expected or had too much. But if you don't, I'll understand."

There was silence all around the throne where the saints had often trod.
As the officer waited quietly for the answer of his God.

"Step forward now, Officer, you've borne your burdens well.
Come walk a beat on Heaven's Streets. You've done your time in Hell."

-Peter Hornbach

Detective Rob Rainford
Seattle Police Backgrounds

August 15, 2006