Encore: The Story of Fallen Police Officer Drew Barr

Cayce, South Carolina Police Chief Chris Cowan joins Tim to talk about something both of us wished we didn’t have to talk about. He tells the story of the recent and tragic loss of one of his officers who was shot and killed while responding to a call. He tells the story of and pays tribute to Officer Drew Barr. In the process, he tells the story of the risks and sacrifices police officers take every day to ‘protect and serve.’  This episode was originally released May 16, 2022.

https://traffic.libsyn.com/shapingopinion/Drew_Barr_End_of_Watch_auphonic.mp3

Cayce, South Carolina is a suburb to the City of Columbia.

A few weeks ago, in the early morning hours of a Sunday in Cayce – 2:48 a.m., on April 24th to be exact – there was what police call a “domestic disturbance.”

Police were called to the scene.

Three officers responded. The second officer on the scene was Drew Barr.  We’re going to tell you what happened, but before we do that, you need to know a little bit about the young officer.

Partners Drew Barr and Molly

He was 28 years old. He joined the Cayce Police Department in 2016.  In October 2020, he was promoted to the department’s K-9 unit. His canine partner was Molly, a black Labrador retriever, who became his family.

He had no wife or children, but he did love his community and he worked to keep it safe.

In addition to being a police officer, he was also a volunteer firefighter, a captain in the Monetta Volunteer Fire Department. He was an emergency medical technician. He was a committed professional.

These are the details that Cayce Police Chief Chris Cowan does not want to get lost when people talk about Officer Roy “Drew” Barr.

 
Links

Cayce Police Department
SC law enforcement community mourns slain Cayce police officer: ‘He was brave’ | Columbia | postandcourier.com
‘Our Hearts Are Breaking in Cayce;’ SC Fire Captain/Police Officer Killed in Shooting (firefighternation.com)
Officer Drew Barr honored at funeral and graveside service (wistv.com)
Chief: Man killed SC officer with calculated shot from rifle – ABC News (go.com)

Gratitude
Our gratitude to the Cayce Police Department for the photos used on this page, to Chief Cowan for telling the Drew Barr story, to Officer Drew Barr himself and to his family for the sacrifices they have made for others.
About this Episode’s Guest Chris Cowan
Chris Cowan is recognized internationally for his vast network of private and public partnerships and his expansive policing knowledge, from 29 years in law enforcement.   Chris’ extensive experience leading special operations, homeland security, crime suppression, professional development, community policing, media relations and business and community crime prevention units has given him a unique perspective on what it takes to be a guardian to our communities.   He has also served as a Chief Financial Officer, Chief Public Information Officer, Commander of Special Weapons and Tactics Units and Commander of Community Policing Units.  This experience has provided Chris with a unique perspective on mitigating challenges to corporate and community quality of life issues because it has been paralleled with 22 years in corporate security, risk management and professional development.   His passion is holistic policing strategies to provide stability to all citizens, and protect the vulnerable, through programs that create religious, business and neighborhood crime prevention.

Commissioned a United States Naval Officer; he secured his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science.  He has also earned a Masters Certificate from the Australian Institute of Police Management.  Chris is a graduate of the South Carolina Executive Institute, the FBI National Academy, the FBI Command College and the FBI Hazardous Devices School Executive Management Program.   He has over 19 years of leadership experience in the fields of administration, human capital, crisis management,