Bipartisan measure renames Riverdale post office after Major Gregory Barney, first Riverdale officer to die in the line of duty

U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and U.S. Representative David Scott, D-Ga.-13, today announced that a bill honoring the first Riverdale police officer to die in the line of duty has been signed into law. The bipartisan measure, H.R.4747, designates the U.S. Postal Service office in Riverdale, Ga., as the “Major Greg E. Barney Post Office Building.”

On February 11, 2016, Major Barney, was shot and killed by a suspect during a raid on an illegal drug operation. Major Barney was a 25-year veteran of the Riverdale Police Department. During his career in Riverdale, Major Barney was a school resource officer at Riverdale High School, a sergeant and a captain. In 2004, Barney became the first African-American to serve as Chief of Police when appointed Interim Chief.

“I have the utmost appreciation and respect for our law enforcement officers who willingly dedicate their lives for the betterment of our communities, and we especially remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty,” said Sen. Isakson. “Major Greg E. Barney served the Riverdale community with great integrity, and he paid the ultimate price protecting his community. We can never repay the debt owed to Major Barney and his family for his commitment to serving Georgians, but I am so pleased that his heroism and selfless sacrifice will be long remembered in his community through the designation of the ‘Major Gregory E. Barney Post Office Building.’”

“Today is a proud moment for Georgia and our nation as we honor the service of a true hero,” said Rep. Scott. “I am grateful for the Senate and President Obama’s swift action to pass and adopt this bill. Major Gregory Barney was an officer who made the ultimate sacrifice; there is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. He served the Riverdale community with a high nobility of purpose and enjoyed a distinguished career in law enforcement. One day soon, Major Barney’s family, his fellow officers, and residents of Riverdale and throughout Georgia will look upon the ‘Major Gregory E. Barney Post Office Building’ with great pride, respect and admiration for generations to come.”

H.R.4747 designates the U.S. Postal Service facility located at 6691 Church Street in Riverdale, Ga., as the “Major Gregory E. Barney Post Office Building.” Congressman Scott introduced H.R.4747 in March with bipartisan support from the entire Georgia congressional delegation. The legislation passed the House of Representatives unanimously on May 24, 2016, and also passed unanimously in the Senate on July 14, 2016. The president signed the measure into law on July 29, 2016.