Barry Ragsdale

Sergeant Barry Ragsdale is a 27-year veteran of the Dallas Police Department who has spent more than 17 years assigned to the Narcotics Division as an undercover officer/detective, and currently as a supervisor.  For almost seven years, Barry was assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a Task Force Officer (TFO) to investigate large-scale drug trafficking organizations.

Barry began his law enforcement career with the Dallas Police Department in February 1990.  As a young patrol officer, he established himself as an officer with a passion for arresting drug dealers operating in the Northwest Dallas area.  In the early 1990’s, he assisted in the establishment of the Northwest Patrol Drug Task Force whose mission was to investigate street drug complaints.  In early 1995, Barry transferred to the Narcotics Division “Street Squads” where he was assigned to work in an undercover capacity purchasing illegal narcotics from street level dealers throughout the city of Dallas.  The “Street Squads” purchase illegal drugs, utilize confidential informants (CI’s), execute search and arrest warrants, and seize the proceeds, all in an attempt to close down street level drug house operations.

In 1998, Barry was assigned to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration as a Task Force Officer (TFO).  He was the case agent and lead undercover officer on numerous federal investigations over the next six plus years, investigating organizations ranging from the “Texas Syndicate” prison gang to Iranian MDMA/Ecstasy traffickers to GHB manufacturers producing and distributing the drug in mass quantities.  While assigned to the DEA Task Force, Barry initiated and worked on numerous complex conspiracy investigations where he worked as an undercover officer, surveillance officer, cultivated and managed CI’s, prepared search warrants, and assisted on Title III wiretap investigations.  Barry has participated in numerous prosecutions of federal drug trafficking and money-laundering conspiracies.

In 2000, Barry was selected as the Dallas Police Department’s “Officer of the Year” for his efforts while working in an undercover capacity.  In one notable case, he infiltrated the “Texas Syndicate Mexican Prison Gang” and ultimately purchased over nineteen (19) pounds of methamphetamine while working undercover.  In late 2004, Barry transferred back to the Dallas Police Narcotics Division “Street Squads” and immediately began to train new detectives entering the division on undercover techniques and operations, visual and audio surveillance, preparation of narcotics search and arrest warrants, preparation of case files, and asset forfeitures.

In October 2006, Barry transferred into a “Mid-Level Enforcement Squad” within the Narcotics Division.  His accomplishments involved investigating three of the largest GHB Manufacturing and Trafficking Organizations responsible for producing and distributing more than 100 gallons of GHB per month in the Dallas, Texas area.  Although Barry was the primary case agent and undercover officer, he worked in conjunction with numerous agencies throughout the investigation.  While working in an undercover capacity, he and other undercover detectives purchased numerous gallons of GHB as well as MDMA/Ecstasy and methamphetamine.  Confidential Informants, historical data, and mobile as well as audio and video surveillance were some of the methods of investigation utilized to completely dismantle these illegal drug distribution networks.

In June of 2008, Barry was promoted to the rank of sergeant.   As a sergeant, he was assigned to the Northeast Patrol Division on the deep-nights shift where he received twenty-six (26) commendations from his supervisors and citizens during his first two years as a supervisor.  In June

of 2010, Barry was asked by a Deputy Chief to supervise a uniformed Drug Task Force.  The task force was responsible for targeting chronic drug house complaints by conducting covert surveillance, “Knock & Talk” operations, and vehicle traffic stops on felony drug dealers.  Due to the citywide success, the task force became a permanent assignment and became what is currently known as the Crime Response Teams (CRT).  In November 2012, Barry transferred back to the Narcotics Division where he has supervised numerous successful undercover investigations.  He utilizes his experience to teach and direct narcotics detectives on a daily basis and currently supervises a Mid-Level Narcotics Enforcement Squad.

Barry has provided expert testimony in narcotics and related cases in both state and federal courts for the past 14 years.  In addition, he has been an instructor and guest speaker on numerous narcotics related subjects over the past 16 years.  More importantly, Sgt. Ragsdale has consistently passed on his knowledge and experience to younger officers under his command.