George R. Barthel was a 32-year-old Deputy Sheriff with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department who was killed on April 19, 1979, while on duty in the Watts area of Los Angeles. Assigned to the Special Enforcement Bureau, Deputy Barthel and a partner were patrolling the Nickerson Gardens Housing Project when they encountered a group of people; one person discarded drug paraphernalia into nearby bushes. As the partner moved to retrieve the items, a shooter across the street fired a rifle, striking both deputies in the face and torso. Both had been wearing bulletproof vests, but rounds penetrated through gaps; both were taken to hospital and Deputy Barthel died later that day.

An investigation resulted in the arrest of two suspects, aged 21 and 24. The 24-year-old was convicted of first-degree murder on November 20, 1980, and sentenced to life without the possibility of parole; the other suspect was acquitted. Deputy Barthel, a Vietnam War veteran, had served with the department for ten years. His partner survived, reportedly using his body to shield Barthel while they retreated to their patrol car under continuous fire.

Anyone who knew Deputy Barthel, his partner, or who has information about the shooting is asked to come forward.