FORMER MONONGAH POLICE CHIEF RICK BARNHART PASSES AWAY

 

            ORVAL RICHARD "RICK" BARNHART

Rick Barnhart passes away

 

Rick Barnhart, former Monongah police chief with 38 years of police experience in Marion, Barbour and Harrison counties, has passed away.

For those like me who didn’t know his birth name, it was Orval Richard Barnhart.

His widow, and wife for 41 years, is Gerry Dorsey Barnhart.

They have 3 children, Jeff, Michelle and Chad, and 7 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren.

Rick was an All-State lineman at South Harrison High School before his 1969 graduation. He then graduated from the West Virginia State Police Academy.

Rick’s obituary:

Orval Richard “Rick/Barney” Barnhart, 73, of Lumberport, passed away peacefully on April 1, 2024 following a lengthy illness. He was born on March 2, 1951, in Clarksburg, the son of the late Orval Max and Mary Lucille Caynor Barnhart.

Rick is survived by his wife of 41 years, Gerry Dorsey Barnhart, whom he married on May 29, 1982. 

In addition to his parents, Rick is also survived by his three children, Jeff and wife Karson of West Milford, Michelle Watkins and husband Brian of Mooresville, NC, and Chad and wife Jamie of Mount Clare; Seven grandchildren, Autumn Clegg and husband Caleb, Allysha Elder and husband Cody, USAF Ryon Barnhart, Alex Barnhart, Kyle Barnhart and fiancée Christine Sipes, Gracie Barnhart, Macey Watkins; two great grandchildren, Tinsley Faith Elder and Fletcher Lee Elder; two nieces, Katherine Lawrence and husband Will, and Bettina Dorsey.

In addition to his parents, Rick is preceded in death by his Mother and Father-in-law, Betty and Leonard Dorsey; Brothers-in-Law, Jimmy Dorsey and Timmy Dorsey; his beloved beagle, Lacey. 

Rick was a 1969 graduate of South Harrison High School where he was an All-State Lineman and a 1985 graduate of the West Virginia State Police Academy, 61st Basic Class.

Rick had a passion for community service starting with his involvement at a young age with various area volunteer fire departments. Then, serving in law enforcement and public service for the last 38 years. He served as a Police Officer and Deputy Sheriff throughout Harrison, Barbour and Marion Counties with his last duty station as Chief of Police with Monongah Police Department.  

Rick was a very active life time member of Mountaineer Lodge #78 Fraternal Order of Police, where he held numerous positions, WV FOP State Lodge as current Second Vice President, WV Deputy Sheriff’s Association, WV Chiefs of Police Association, and an active member of the Harrison County Elks Lodge #2875. 

His latest endeavor, that was interrupted by his health concerns, was to become a candidate for Sheriff of Harrison County so he could draw upon all his experiences and expertise to make Harrison County an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.   

Earlier employment included: Union Carbide, Anmoore and Fourco Glass, Jerry Run. When Rick was not working you could find him on the golf course which was his other passion.  He was a member of Sunny Croft Country Club and the “Hole-in-One” club. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Mountaineer Lodge #78 FOP Junior Police Academy, PO Box 1338 Clarksburg, WV  26301