Today's Article

The kid, Jerome Rhodes is talking about was Josh Barkley. He coached him in high school and now all he has are memories. James City County police found Barkley on Richmond Rd. near Noah's Ark Veterinary Hospital just after midnight on Saturday. 

Police say he was on the road trying to 3grab a personal item and didn't see a semi-truck coming his way. He was 4flown to VCU Medical Center and was 5taken off of 6life support on Tuesday. Josh had just turned 20 on Christmas Day. His family tells me he 7graduated from Warhill High School in 2022 where he played football as an outside 8linebacker and 9defensive end. Coach Rhodes tells me Josh always had a 10positive attitude and was someone who would try to make you laugh. 

"That kind of energy kind of 11popped off from the first time that I met him. His play on the football field and his actions in practice and that kind of stuff there was 12inspirational for the kids and the coaches. You could tell he loved the sport and he loved to be around his teammates." 

Others say Josh was known for his hugs. 

"I remember him with tight hugs he gave everyone because that was his calling card. And that was his way of expressing how he felt about you and I think that's the lasting memory that we shall have of him." 

John Francisque has known Josh since he was 10. Over the last few days, he's thought hard about what some of their last conversations were. 

"He told me about his girlfriend, that he was happy, things are beginning to happen for him in life and he was very optimistic about 13what the future holds." 

Part of that future was being a father. Josh was 14expecting a child with his girlfriend this February. 

"There's no 15explanation why these things happen but I like to think of it as someone else is watching above us. Someone else is upstairs watching and helping to guide us and keep us safe and I guess God needed another angel."