Barry “Bear” James Foust passed away peacefully on May 22, 2026, surrounded by his
family and friends, after a brave battle with 9/11 related pancreatic cancer. Barry answered
the call on September 11th as one of the first responders at the Pentagon and spent the
following weeks as an integral part of the recovery team. He was admired and respected by
all his peers and was incredibly loyal to his family and friends. Barry rose to meet any
challenge with a positive mental attitude, and he was always up for an adventure. His
energy was unmatched, as was his sense of humor. He was always the first to lend a hand
to anyone in need.
Barry was born on April 20, 1962, in Troy, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Penn State
University with a degree in Criminal Justice. A child of dairy farmers, he decided to forge his
own path and pursue a career with the Arlington County Police Department in 1986, where
he worked until his retirement in 2019. After a short stint with the Metropolitan Washington
Airports Authority Police Department, he was recruited back to ACPD, where he worked
until his passing.
Barry is survived by his loving wife, Karen, his daughter Natalie Shaffer (Koy), and his
granddaughter, Eleanor. He is also survived by his sister, Libby Foust (Dorothy Elizabeth),
Kathy Warner (Jere), Julie Volpe (Don) and Jennifer Schwartz (Thaddeus), as well as a host
of nieces and nephews, and one great-nephew. He was predeceased by his mother, Ellen
Judson Foust and his father, Joseph Charles Foust.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in his name to PanCAN, a pancreatic cancer
research organization or Tunnel to Towers, an organization benefiting first responders.