In the late hours of a January night in Decatur, Georgia, a sequence of events unfolded that would end in tragedy for two families and a community. On January 16, 2008, 33-year-old male, Eric Cecil Barker Sr., a DeKalb County Police Officer, was working an off-duty security detail at the Glenwood Gardens apartment complex, a location known for its troubles with crime. Alongside his partner, Officer Ricky Bryant Jr., Barker was tasked with patrolling the area to deter criminal activity.
Both men were in full uniform as they made their rounds, a visible presence intended to bring a sense of security to the residents.
The night took a fatal turn when the officers responded to a report of a suspicious person. They encountered William Woodard and two other men in a car and, smelling marijuana, began to question them. When Woodard, who was a convicted felon and illegally carrying a firearm, was asked for identification, a struggle ensued. In the ensuing chaos, Woodard managed to gain control of a weapon and opened fire, fatally wounding both Officer Barker and Officer Bryant. A tow truck driver discovered the fallen officers approximately ten minutes later and called for help. Officer Barker was a United States Army veteran and had served with the DeKalb County Police Department for four years.
In the days that followed, a massive manhunt was launched for the suspect. The break in the case came when Woodard's girlfriend turned him in to the authorities. William Woodard was arrested and charged with two counts of felony murder and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. During his trial, Woodard claimed he acted in self-defense, alleging that the officers were beating him. However, prosecutors argued he shot the officers to avoid returning to prison. On October 12, 2012, a jury found William Woodard guilty on all charges. He was subsequently sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole. Two other men who were with Woodard that night were also arrested and faced charges in connection with the murders.
