Funeral Service at West Elfers Cemetery for N.P.R. Police Chief
Verbie C. "Spike" Barga, June 1960
According to Verbie C. Barga's obituary published on June 23, 1960 in the New Port Richey Press:
Barga served as Police Chief of New Port Richey for more that 12 years.
In 1960 he was stricken ill and was admitted to the Bay Pines
Veterans hospital for ten weeks and later underwent surgery at Dunedin
Hospital. After recovery he returned to active duty with the
police department. Verbie C. Barga was a native of Versailles,
Ohio and came to New Port Richey with his wife and children in 1945
from Bradford, Ohio. Much of his life was spent in law
enforcement.
A member of WWI he was a member of several veterans' organizations,
Pearl of the West No. 146, F&AM, The Florida Peace Officers
Association and the Florida Police Chiefs Association. Funeral
services were conducted at Duval Funeral Home in charge of the Rev.
Donald B. Rock, vicar of the St. Stephen's Episcopal Church.
Burial followed and was made at the West Elfers Cemetery in the
Barga Family Plot. During services all business in downtown New
Port Richey was stopped and stores were closed.
Active pallbearers were Pasco County Sheriff Leslie Bessinger, Deputy
Sheriff Basil Gaines [also buried at West Elfers], Constable Joe
Fraddosio [also buried at West Elfers], former Florida State Patrolman
Scott Bowman and Patrolman Eric Walrath and Eric Huddleston.
Honorary bearers included Hernando County Sheriff Sim L. Lowman,
Sumter County Sheriff "Popie" Bowman, Fire Chief Robert Sample and
members of the New Port Richey Volunteer Fire Department.
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(Photo courtesy of Eileen Barga)
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