Former Edwardsville cop gets 40 years in prison for burglaries, other crimes

EDWARDSVILLE • A former police officer here who admitted to being behind a string of burglaries and other crimes was sentenced to 40 years in prison Monday.

Brian Barker, 44, pleaded guilty in January to three counts of burglary, one count of residential burglary, one count of official misconduct and one count of aggravated unlawful possession of stolen firearms.

"Wearing the badge is an honor and a privilege and he took advantage of it," said Jennifer Mudge, who is with the Madison County State's Attorney's Office.

"It's not just horrible that he broke into these businesses and homes and made people feel vulnerable and taken advantage of, it's horrible that he did this while he was sworn to protect them.”

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