Baltimore Deputy Mayor Anthony Barksdale dies, mayor's office says
Baltimore Deputy Mayor Anthony Barksdale died on Thursday, Mayor Brandon Scott said. He was 53 years old.
"Tony Barksdale was the epitome of what it means to be a public servant, but more importantly, he was a standard bearer of what it means to be a good man," Mayor Scott said. "For three-plus decades, he served his city with one purpose: to make it safer for all Baltimoreans."
Barksdale had been with Baltimore for 30 years
Barksdale, who grew up in West Baltimore, has been involved with public safety in Baltimore for more than 30 years. He started as a police officer in 1993, and he worked his way through the ranks, eventually taking on the role of Deputy Mayor.
Mayor Scott appointed Barksdale as the city's Deputy Mayor for Public Safety on July 8, 2022.
"Tony wasn't just a colleague, he was a mentor, a friend, and someone who believed deeply in the power of public service," said Baltimore Police Commissioner Richard Worley. "Over the decades we worked together, he taught me so much about leadership, perseverance and what it truly means to serve and protect as one of Baltimore's Finest, with heart and purpose."
According to his bio, Barksdale oversaw the city's public safety agencies -- the Baltimore Police Department, Mayor's Office of Neighborhood Safety and Engagement (MONSE), and the Baltimore City Fire Department.
He created and oversaw Baltimore's crime plan that ran from 2007 to 2012, which lowered arrests and reached a city historic low of 200 homicides in 2011, according to the city website.
Since Barksdale became the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, Baltimore has had major declines in homicides, including a more than 30% reduction this year, according to our partners at the Baltimore Banner.
During his career in Baltimore, he served as the city's deputy commissioner, acting commissioner, and deputy mayor.
"I had the pleasure of learning at his side for nearly two decades, and I am eternally grateful for all that I learned from him and the brotherly bond we built," Mayor Scott said. "My heart goes out to his family and all of us who had the pleasure of working with him. Baltimore is better because a boy from West Baltimore made it his mission to make it safer."
Community leaders react
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates called Barksdale, "a dedicated public servant" and "a trusted partner and friend."
"Baltimore lost a true public safety champion, and I have lost a colleague whose partnership made our work better and our city stronger," Bates added. "His legacy will continue to guide us as we carry forward the mission we shared -- building a safer, fairer city for all."
Police Commissioner Worley said, "Baltimore is better" because of Barksdale.
"His guidance helped shape my career, and he continued to serve our city with unwavering dedication," Worley continued. "This is a profound and tragic loss for our city, our department and our entire community."
Baltimore Comptroller Bill Henry also offered his condolences, saying, "Few people loved their city more than Anthony. Through his tenure as deputy police commissioner and later as deputy mayor of public safety, Anthony worked tirelessly to make Baltimore a safer place to live, work and play. He was a good man who mostly stayed in the background, leaning on his intelligence and years of experience to tackle some of Baltimore's most stubborn problems."