Retired GCPD patrol officer dies from Covid-19 

John Fred Barwick, a retired Glen Cove patrol officer, died from Covid-19 on April 9 at age 79.

Barwick, who had retired from the Glen Cove Police Department in 1985, had been working at North Shore University Hospital as a security guard.

GCPD Chief William Whitton knew Barwick well. The two worked together after Whitton left the police academy and began his career in Glen Cove. 

"He was a wonderful communicator,” Whitton said. “He really had a firm knowledge of what this job was and what it took to be a police officer." 

Whitton said Barwick, who retired as a patrol officer, was never interested in getting promoted to a higher position. His favorite part of the job, Whitton said, was patrolling the village on foot. "That was his calling," Whitton said. "He didn't want to be a supervisor; he didn't want to be a detective. He really enjoyed going out on the streets; patrolling, walking through the village, talking." 

Barwick’s wife, Millicent, said that she always knew when he was home because she would hear the rattling of his many keys, which were for the storefronts in the city. Barwick was proud of being a police officer, Millicent said, especially in the community he loved.

“He was always interested in what was happening in the community,” Millicent said. “He loved Glen Cove, no doubt about it.”

Millicent Ricco married her “soul mate” in 1972, dating for two years prior. They are both long-time Glen Cove residents, and they raised their family in the community. Millicent said her husband loved his son, Jeff, his daughter-in-law Tina, and three grandchildren, Justin, Madison and Paige.

“I knew Fred for over 50 years,” Millicent's cousin, Nick Mondello, said. “A gentleman, a patriot, dedicated law enforcement officer, loving husband . . . a guy’s guy.”

 Glen Cove Detective Lt. John Nagle, who was hired around the time Barwick retired, said that he "had a heart of gold. He was a well-liked officer of the department.”

Whitton echoed that point. "I was told when I was in the police academy that the best police officers are the best communicators, and his forte was communication," he said. "John was the person who wanted to put on that uniform and wanted to be a symbol of safety and security. To be somebody that people could come to and ask questions and to help as best he could." 

Besides being a good cop, Whitton said, Barwick was a good writer who published a monthly story in Nassau County's Police Blotter. Millicent added that he enjoyed writing letters to the local paper, and that she received phone calls of praise for his writing all the time.

"He wrote the blotter for years, and he was a really good storyteller and a wonderful person with words," Whitton said. "He also had a tremendous sense of humor." 

Millicent agreed, adding that Barwick always had a smile on his face. “Most people have arguments in a marriage, but he never lost his temper,” she said.

After Barwick retired, Whitton said, he continued his involvement with the law enforcement community. Barwick attended PBA meetings and continued to mentor officers of all ages. 

“His most favorite shows were 'Blue Bloods' and 'Chicago PD,'” Millicent said. “Guess why?”

Barwick was also involved with Matinecock Rod & Gun Club of Glen Cove, a sports club for hunting, pistol, skeet and fishing enthusiasts. He served as president twice. Millicent said he loved “the great outdoors.”

Throughout his career, he did custom upholstery on the side. “He was never an idle guy,” Millicent said.

It is not yet clear if there will be a memorial service for Barwick, due to the Covid-19, which makes such gatherings impossible for now.