Thursday, May 5, 2005
Retirement of Marshal Wilson E. Barnes


Statewide Impact


In this Ceremonial Session, the Supreme Court honors its Marshal, Wilson E. Barnes, who will retire June 1 after serving 15 years in office. Barnes, 67, took office as the Court's 5th Marshal on July 1, 1990, and oversaw the massive overhaul of court security made necessary by events during his tenure. He successfully kept the Court secure through the 2000 presidential election appeals, the anthrax scares following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, and many other high-profile events. Barnes is a retired U.S. Army colonel with a 29-year military career capped by his final stint at U.S. Central Command at MacDill Air Force Base. There, he served as director of military and civilian personnel in 16 countries. Barnes' military decorations include the Bronze Star medal, the Defense Superior Service medal, and the National Defense Service medal. He received a bachelor's and master's degree from Virginia State University, and has been active in community service in Tallahassee. A reception will follow in the rotunda.