Barry Winckler
Barry Winckler, 60, of Sterling, died Feb. 13, 2021, in Sterling. Barry was born Nov. 4, 1960, in Battle Creek, Michigan, to Paul H. and Patricia Jean (Whitesell) Winckler.
He graduated from Lewisville High School, received his bachelor’s degree from Denver University, received a Master of Science from Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, and received his Ph.D. in criminal justice management from LaSalle University.
Barry began his 30-year career in law enforcement as a patrol officer for the Holyoke Police Department in 1991. He moved up to sergeant and then chief of police from 1994-98. Later in 1998, he was a patrol officer for the Littleton Police Department. He was then a SWAT negotiator and the neighborhood liaison officer in District 5 for Littleton. In 2001, he worked again for the Holyoke Police Department as a sergeant and chief of police from 2001-03.
From 2001-2009, Barry was adjunct faculty as a Master’s of Business Administration online facilitator for Regis University. From 2006-2010 he was a Holyoke City Council member, elected in April of 2006. From 2002-2012 he worked many jobs for East Phillips County Hospital District as an EMT-B/IV and EMT assistant instructor, compliance officer, radiology technician and many other titles throughout the years.
From 2007-2012, Barry also worked at Centennial Mental Health Center in Holyoke as a certified addiction counselor Level III, conducting DUI and substance abuse relapse prevention groups and classes, and a mental health therapist. From 2010-2015 he was adjunct faculty for teaching online criminal justice courses through Westwood College.
From 2008-2012, Barry was an investigator for the 13th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Sterling. From 2003-2012 he was also involved in the Phillips County Sheriff’s Office as a critical incident negotiator with ranks of deputy sheriff, reserve deputy sheriff and undersheriff. From 2012 to the present, Barry worked at the Sterling Police Department as a police officer, detective, major and commander.
Barry married Christie (Carver) on Aug. 18, 1990, in Lakewood, and they were married for 20 years. They had two sons, Christopher and Michael.
Barry was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police and National Rifle Association and received recognition from the DEA for a substance abuse case. He was the first recipient of the Jerri Moore EMS excellence award. He is most proud of his negotiation certifications and accomplishments in successfully negotiating volatile situations.
He had a passion for music, loved to play the drums, and his favorite band was Yes. His sense of humor was his trademark, and he was one-of-a-kind because he lived to make people laugh.
Barry is survived by his ex-wife, Christie Winckler; sons, Christopher Winckler and Michael Winckler (his greatest accomplishments); grandson, Seth Martinez; sister, Betty Jean Whitesell; brothers, Bill and Kim Winckler and Bob and Michelle Winckler; nieces, Melissa and Catherine Winckler; and nephews, Steven and Anna Whitesell, Dan and Meaghan Winckler, Paul Winckler and Tim Bohan.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Winckler, and father, Paul Winckler.
Memorial services were held Feb. 19 at the Dorothy J. Corsberg Theatre, NJC, with livestreaming at facebook.com/tennantfuneralhomes.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Barry Winckler Memorial Fund, c/o Tennant Funeral Home, P.O. Box 1547, Sterling, CO 80751.
Tennant Funeral Home in Sterling directed the service.