McAlester Police Announce Death of Officer Following Friday Crash

McAlester, Okla. –

The McAlester Police Department has announced that officer Joseph Barlow has died after a crash on Friday.

MPD posted the following statement on social media:

“It is with immense sadness that the McAlester Police Department announces the tragic loss of Patrolman Joseph Barlow. Barlow was involved in a head on collision on March 17, 2023 while escorting the late Captain Richard Parker from Tulsa to Wetumka. Unfortunately, he has succumbed to his injuries and passed Monday, March 20, 2023 surrounded by many family, friends and local law enforcement officers. Barlow served not only his nation in the United States Army, but his community of McAlester with great pride. We ask that you keep officer Barlow’s friends, family, and community in your thoughts as they grieve this great loss and continue to cope recently tragedies.”

Police say Barlow suffered life-threatening injuries Friday night in a head-on crash near 141st Street and Highway 75. Barlow was escorting was escorting a fallen Captain Richard Parker when the crash occurred.

Martin Rodriguez Rivas, the accused driver of the truck that collided with Officer Barlow’s car, was arrested by Glenpool Police “on the complaint of driving without a valid license and driving illegally while causing great bodily harm.”

Glenpool Police issued an additional arrest warrant for Rivas Monday evening on complaint of felony first-degree manslaughter following Barlow’s death. GPD says the DA is expected to file the additional charges.

Rivas remains in custody at David L. Moss Correctional Center for his previous charges.

Authorities say these developments will delay the full incident report from Friday’s crash