Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

I met Wade at Lenoir Rhyme college. We were football teammates for my brief stint as an LR football player. He was a class act and one of the better younger players on the team.

After I left college, I became a NC State Trooper and my first duty station was Union County, Wade's home town. I remember attending his funeral along with two other Troopers. His college coach and many of his college teammates attended. You will be missed but never forgotten.

Master Trooper Barry Hiatt, retired
NCSHP

February 28, 2024

Wade was super guy. He was a great football player and teammate at Lenoir Rhyne College. I remember being a freshman and he was a senior. He would often take up for the under classmen and loved being a part of the games we would play on the upper classmen. He was a special guy. I’m not surprised he wanted to serve as a policeman. Love you, man.

Chris Gibbs
College Teammate

July 9, 2022

Wade and I quickly became to closest of friends when he came out of the Police Academy. Wade drove a vehicle green Pontiac to work that didn't have very good brakes. He would literally get out of that vehicle with his feet and his might to stop it in the parking lot . Causing me and our other best friend Officer Tony Render to laugh uncontrollably. We got into a car crash with a unit, I was taking to have serviced and he wanted to take a ride with me. An elderly lady had turned in front of us and we had no time to stop. Wade looked in the visor mirror where he had skinned his head and started laughing, stating laughingly I told you I had white skin underneath. We worked at the movie theater as off duty officers and we had many laughs working there.
It has taken me this long to be able to write about him. I do not wish to speak publicly about the night of his death but I was one of the first officers there and if the family ever wants to know more about that night please feel free to write me. I was never the same at the Department after that night. When I think of him I cannot to this day stop the tears from rolling down my cheeks. I loved you as a best friend should Wade Barrett. Your deeply missed.

M.P.O. Randy Rivers
Dekalb County Police Dept.

June 30, 2022

Wade worked with us at the movie theater at Covington hwy on the weekends. He was a super guy and I remember him well. Wade had a great heart and always looked for the best in people. I was in high school when I worked at the theater and was in shock when I picked up the AJC a year later in college. So sorry for your loss. Your dad was a wonderful person.

Doug

June 28, 2022

All these years later and I still think of Wade often. He was a true friend, very protective (actually over-protective, in a very good way). He made his friends feel very loved. We attended church together and often spoke of our faith. I miss him as if it happened yesterday. I love you my brother in Christ. I will never forget you.

Loraine Bedford Watts
A friend

June 3, 2022

Wade was a true gem and a great friend, I managed the arcade located on Covington Hwy at the time of his passing, my employees and I were devastated to hear the news, he spent many times checking on us to make certain that we were okay late at night, he was like a brother and is truly missed even 32 years later he crosses my mind quite often.

Melvin Banister
Great Games Arcade

May 24, 2022

Brandon,
Your dad was a wonderful man who always brightened my day in college. I was devastated when I learned of his passing. Wade was a genuine friend who saw the bright side of every situation. He was a talented football player who enjoyed playing at the college level. Wade was fun-loving and a positive role model for all. I have so many fond memories of him from LRC. It pains me to think that you didn't get much time to spend with him. Know that your dad's legacy lives on inside many of us & we will continue to honor his memory & service. I look forward to seeing him again in heaven. May God bless you Brandon as you live your life & make your dad proud.

Lenoir-Rhyne College friend

January 27, 2022

To The Barrett Family,
I’m sorry for your loss. My condolences. My prayers are with you and your family and may you find forgiveness in your hearts.

GS
Citizen

January 19, 2022

Officer Barrett, you sound like you had many great people that cared for you. Proud you were my dad, and a shining example of a hero. Rest In Peace, Sir. Gone but never forgotten. Anyone whos left kind words and memories of his past , thank you. I feel like i know him a little more now than before I was 4 when he passed.

Brandon Barrett
Son

January 14, 2022

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice is one that will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

April 8, 2021

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always bring a smile to my face. It brings up thousand of moments we shared at Lenoir Rhyne ..in the dorms, on the field, Locke room..
You are missed. Thank you for service.

Lemont Jones
Team mate / LRC/ c/o 1985

April 8, 2021

Officer Barrett Jr. will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service to your community.

Retired First Sergeant Thomas Webb
New York State Police - Troop "D"

January 3, 2021

I knew Wade when he worked with my wife at MERVINS in Morrow, Ga. I would visit my wife while on duty and he kept telling me he wanted to be a police officer after hearing some of my stories. I feel bad because I encouraged him to join. He was a wonderful person.

James Williamson
Friend

October 14, 2019

I think about Wade often as he was a friend of mine. All these years have passed and the mention of his name still makes me smile. Rest my friend. I'll see you when I get there. Much Love.

Loraine Watts
Friend

November 12, 2018

Missing you always my dear Brother. With love, charity, and esteem ...

YITB,

Tom Paris
Lenoir-Rhyne, c/o'85

April 8, 2018

I was a Division Chief for DeKalb Fire Rescue in EMS the day Officer Wade Barrett was shot. I was the first paramedic on the scene and I remember the helpless feeling of not being able to change the course of events and the outcome that day. I remember the day as if it were yesterday. The bullet hit him and against the odds, missed his ballistic vest. His actions were that of a true hero. I think about Officer Barrett often. Rest easy sir.

Division Chief
DeKalb Fire Rescue

May 27, 2016

Remembering. Respect.

Lt.
DKPD - Retired

April 7, 2016

You have not been forgotten as true heroes never die. Continue to keep watch over your loved ones.

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

April 7, 2013

I knew Wade Barrett in college. He was a friend and a big brother. With his brilliant smile and infectious, he could always lift your spirits. As you look down from Heaven Wade, I know you are still smiling. I didn't know of your passing until recently. You are missed, I'm sure by so many.
I'll see you on the other side dear friend.

Kate Clark
LRC Grad.

October 1, 2012

Have you ever met someone who you only spent a few minutes with... but they have an impact on your life that lasts for decades?

I was honored enough to meet Officer Wade Barrett once in early 1990... he responded to a "trouble unknown" call one evening at the Tree Hill apartment complex, (located at 1420 S. Hairston Road in Stone Mountain, GA). I was an officer with Dekalb P.D. at the time assigned to North Precinct and that night I was on-call as the security officer for the complex... I lived on the property. The guard at the front gate started calling my 'beeper', (remember those?), at around 10:30PM. When I returned the call he stated that earlier he'd allowed a "repo." agent to enter the property to recover a vehicle. Apparently the incompetent repo. agent was discovered by the vehicle's owner and everyone was now gathered at the main gate/guard house preparing for serious battle. I left my apartment and headed for the main entrance. As I pulled up behind the 'guard shack' I noticed that several people and a Dekalb P.D. unit were present, but everyone was standing around smiling and 'high-fiving' each other.

After initialy speaking with the guard it took me less than 5 minutes to respond, (we were required to use the property's golf cart). In that short amount of time Officer Barrett had responded to the scene and had managed to gain total control of the situation and calm everyone down... I'll never forget it!

A few weeks later my National Guard unit was activated for Operation Desert Shield/Storm. After spending several months in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, our unit was in the final stages of ending our mission. We were at Ft. Gordon, GA when I learned of what occured on April 7, 1991. I attended the beautiful service with a few other special members of my guard unit who were also Dekalb PD... (we were the knuckle-heads wearing desert fatigues).

I'll never forget that beautifull service, either. The Minister was speaking of Wade's excellent sence of humor when suddenly an overhead light bulb popped... it was a huge sanctuary bulb and it was LOUD. NOBODY admitted it afterward, but I watched as a Church full of cops from all over Georgia and MANY other states reached for their duty weapon while looking UP! (You could almost hear Wade laughing!)

Officer Wade C. Barrett, you never demanded respect... you earned it. I can only guess as to how you earned it so quickly!

J.C. Hurst

MPO J.C. Hurst
Dekalb County PD

August 25, 2012

I met Wade months after having moved to Georgia. He responded to a break-in at my house. Afterwards I'd see him patroling my neighorhood. Shortly thereafter, my boyfriend and I ran into him at the movies (working a second job) just before the Christmas holidays. He'd told me that he couldn't go home for the holidays because of his work schedule and of his upcoming nuptuals. When I got the news of his death I was heartbroken, still am. Officer Barrett was a real cop but even more than that he was a real upstanding man. I hope his family knows that he was much appreciated and is missed.

O
Dekalb Resident

April 26, 2012

Rest in Peace, Officer Barrett. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 25, 2012

Wade, I met you in high school. You were older than I, but you always treated me as an equal and with respect. You were someone I looked up to and a great role model for all. You are missed my friend.

Captain Phil Pressley
Monroe Police Department, Monroe, NC

January 30, 2012

I didn't know you personally Wade...I know officers who knew you. The roll call room at East Precinct is name in your honors. Thanks for your service!

MPO J.B. Franklin
DKPD

September 18, 2011

When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down, but even in death the righteous have a refuge - Proverbs 14:32.

Heroes are never forgotten.

RIP brother.

Constable Amanda Pandolfi
York Regional Police

April 7, 2011