Officer Barton was accidentally shot and killed by another officer who was attempting to clear his jammed firearm. The officers were at the firing range when a sergeant's gun failed to fire. The Sergeant went to the locker room where sixteen other recruit officers including Officer Barton were waiting for their turn on the firing line.

The Sergeant was dismantling his gun to remove the cartridge which failed to fire. While doing this, the cartridge did fire and the bullet struck Officer Barton. He died at City Hospital from a bullet wound to the left side in front and below his left arm pit.