On January 26, 1922, Officer George Barton was walking his beat on the Square at about 3:30 a.m., when he noticed a suspicious individual walking on the sidewalk on Lexington east of North Lynn Street and asked him where he was going. The suspect, who appeared intoxicated, produced a Colt .45 and shot Officer Barton who sustained a single gunshot wound with the bullet entering his left side just above the hip, passed through his body and exited his right side. Officer Barton staggered into a nearby physicians office where he received care from a night attendant.

The physicians assistant notified Chief of Police Nealy Harris by telephone who responded from home and found the suspect near Lexington and Main Streets. The suspect immediately fired on Chief Harris. Chief Harris exited his vehicle and fired once striking the suspect who died at the scene.

Officer Barton was taken to Independence Sanitarium and Hospital where he died from his injuries shortly after 10:00 a.m. that morning.

Officer Barton was survived by his wife, Annie, son (16) and daughter (13). Services were at St Mary's Church. Interred: Woodlawn Cemetery.