In a somber turn of events on a late November morning, the community of Westminster, Maryland, was shaken by the death of Jerry Barnes, a prominent figure who had long been a fixture in the county's legal landscape. On Saturday, November 29, 2014, authorities were called to a residence in Westminster where they discovered Barnes, a 66-year-old male, with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead.
The Carroll County Sheriff's Office is investigating the death as an apparent suicide.
Jerry Barnes was a lifelong resident of Carroll County and had served as the county's State's Attorney for two decades, from 1994 until his death. His career as a prosecutor spanned 38 years, during which he cultivated a reputation as a tough-on-crime conservative. He was a decorated veteran, having served as an Army Green Beret in Vietnam where he earned a Bronze Star. His long tenure as the top prosecutor in Carroll County was nearing its end, as he had recently been defeated in the Republican primary and was set to leave office.
The news of his sudden death sent ripples through the local community and the legal fraternity where he was a well-known figure. In the wake of his passing, there was no mention of any suspects or arrests, as the investigation centered on the circumstances of an apparent suicide. His obituary noted his dedication to his work, his military service, and his roots in the Westminster community, leaving behind a legacy as a long-serving public official.
