Buckingham Police Captain killed in one-vehicle accident
Author: DAVID CAMPBELL
Article
From News Article July, 2002
Less than two months following the death of Plumstead Township Police Officer Joseph E. Hanusey III, Central Bucks was hit hard once again last week when Captain EllwoodG. BarnhardtJr., 55, of the Buckingham Township Police Department lost his life in a one-car accident June 30.
Barnhardt, a 29-year veteran of the Buckingham Township Police Department, was traveling north on Route 611 in Plumstead Township last Sunday when he lost consciousness. Barnhardt's pick-up truck struck and jumped a guardrail and landed by a nearby pond shortly before 3 p.m. Barnhardt was transported to Doylestown Hospital and died shortly thereafter.
Bucks County Coroner Dr. Joseph Campbell said severe heart disease caused the police captain to lose consciousness on the same stretch of road that claimed the life of Officer Hanusey, 30, in May. Hanusey lost control of his patrol car in the early mornings hours of May 18, and was killed when his car hit several trees.
Barnhardt was not on duty at the time of the crash.
During the course of his career, Barnhardt earned several commendations, including a Silver Star for bravery for rescuing a motorist from a burning vehicle. He specialized in accident reconstruction and was the commander of the Accident Investigation Team. He was often called upon to share his expertise throughout the Central Bucks area.
Barnhardt's true love was teaching karate. He owned and operated the Silent Dragon Karate School in Plumstead and held a 6th Degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate.
Funeral services with full Police Honors were held July 8 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Buckingham. Interment followed at Forest Hills Cemetery.
Memo:
The Central Bucks community has lost another one of its finest.
Neil Clark
From News Article July, 2002
Less than two months following the death of Plumstead Township Police Officer Joseph E. Hanusey III, Central Bucks was hit hard once again last week when Captain Ellwood G. Barnhardt Jr., 55, of the Buckingham Township Police Department lost his life in a one-car accident June 30.
Barnhardt, a 29-year veteran of the Buckingham Township Police Department, was traveling north on Route 611 in Plumstead Township last Sunday when he lost consciousness. Barnhardt's pick-up truck struck and jumped a guardrail and landed by a nearby pond shortly before 3 p.m. Barnhardt was transported to Doylestown Hospital and died shortly thereafter.
Bucks County Coroner Dr. Joseph Campbell said severe heart disease caused the police captain to lose consciousness on the same stretch of road that claimed the life of Officer Hanusey, 30, in May. Hanusey lost control of his patrol car in the early mornings hours of May 18, and was killed when his car hit several trees.
Barnhardt was not on duty at the time of the crash.
During the course of his career, Barnhardt earned several commendations, including a Silver Star for bravery for rescuing a motorist from a burning vehicle. He specialized in accident reconstruction and was the commander of the Accident Investigation Team. He was often called upon to share his expertise throughout the Central Bucks area.
Barnhardt's true love was teaching karate. He owned and operated the Silent Dragon Karate School in Plumstead and held a 6th Degree Black Belt in Kempo Karate.Funeral services with full Police Honors were held July 8 at Trinity Episcopal Church, Buckingham. Interment followed at Forest Hills Cemetery.
Memo:
The Central Bucks community has lost another one of its finest.