Police Officer Michael Janson Barwick, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri

Police Officer Michael Janson Barwick

St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Missouri

End of Watch Thursday, August 29, 2002

Add to My Heroes

Michael Janson Barwick

Police Officer Michael Barwick was killed in an automobile crash at 2:20 am during a vehicle pursuit of a stolen car.

The pursuit started after Officer Barwick and his partner spotted the vehicle and attempted to stop it. During the pursuit, a minivan collided with Officer Barwick's patrol car at 25th Street and St. Louis Avenue. The collision caused the patrol car to go airborne, land on its side and burst into flames. Other units stopped and pulled Officer Barwick and Officer Christian from the vehicle. Both officers were transported to a local hospital where Officer Barwick succumbed to his injuries.

Other officers chased the vehicle off and on for over an hour. The driver and its passenger were both finally apprehended and were both charged with felony murder in connection with Officer Barwick's death. The suspect driving the car was convicted of the charges in September 2003 and sentenced to 12 years in prison. The suspect in the passenger seat was sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Officer Barwick had served with the St. Louis Police Department for two years and was assigned to the 4th District.

In 2007, a portion of Interstate 44 from Kings Highway to the City limits, was renamed the Police Officer Michael J. B Barwick Interstate in his honor.

Bio

Age 27
Tour 2 years
Badge 5987

Incident Details

Cause Vehicle pursuit
Weapon Automobile
Offender Sentenced to 18 years

stolen vehicle, vehicle pursuit

LODD Mapping FAQs

Most Recent Reflection

View all 122 Reflections

Brother a days doesn't go by that I still reflect on that night when my FTO, Officer Billy March and I had just chatted with you and Officer Christian then we heard the pursuit over the radio. We were behind and missed the turn north onto 25th Street and by the time we reached you the accident had already happen.

I still can't get the scene out my mind and it's 2023. So many officers on the scene and we were determine that you were not going to die in a burning car. We were relieved that we got you and Jena to safety.

Several hours later, we were updated by Capt. Tooele that you passed due to your injuries. That's still hard to swallow and I am finally talking to somebody what my struggles are since that night.

Brother I had just started in the 4th but it seem like I knew you for a lifetime.

Continue to rest in paradise, until we meet again.

Love you,

Man

Retired Police Officer Andrew Ames
St. Louis Metropolitan Police (St Louis City)

December 19, 2023