Shot in the head and fatally wounded, alongside his colleague, ADC Angus MacLeod Mackenzie, who died five days earlier, after they and two other officers were called as back-up to question three men their Inspector had seen acting suspiciously outside a flat in Allison Street, Govanhill.
 
Unaware that the men had just carried out a bank robbery, the five officers were searching the flat and checking the contents of two suitcases found in the property, when one of the men pulled out a gun and shot the Inspector. As they tried to disarm the gunman, PC Barnett and Acting DC Mackenzie were also shot, with the ADC being shot a second time as he fell.
 
Posthumously awarded the Queen’s Police Medal for Gallantry.

Roll of Honour Citation

Shot in the head and fatally wounded, alongside his colleague, ADC Angus MacLeod Mackenzie, who died five days earlier, after they and two other officers were called as back-up to question three men their Inspector had seen acting suspiciously outside a flat in Allison Street, Govanhill.