An Arlington police officer who died of cancer related to 9/11 relief efforts is remembered for his intense work ethic, kind heart and playful sense of humor.
Family members and Arlington County Police Department personnel honored ACPD Cpl. Barry Foust at a funeral service yesterday (Tuesday). They shared memories of the 64-year-old who grew up tussling and competing with his four sisters on a dairy farm in rural Pennsylvania, and how he matured into a mentor and inspiration for generations officers across his 35 years of service at ACPD.
“He did it by working hard and loving harder, and he did it by possessing this undefinable presence that somehow projected strength, while at the same time, warm compassion,” recalled brother-in-law Thaddeus Schwartz at the ceremony at Cherrydale Baptist Church.
Retired ACPD Cpl. Tania Velez described Foust’s high standards and good humor with fellow officers and civilians alike. On one instance, she recalled him patiently listening to a driver who was furious about getting stopped in the same spot where Foust had given him a ticket five years before.
“Barry was polite,” Velez said. “He patiently listened, collected what he needed, went back to his cruiser, came back, gave the driver back his license and gave him the rest of the paperwork. And as Barry turned to walk away, he just simply said, ‘See you in five years.'”
Velez said the driver was “hooting and hollering as he tore off down the road,” while his passenger howled with laughter.
One of Foust’s sisters, Libby Foust, shared warm memories of growing up playing hockey and football in the snow with her brother, who she said was something of a troublemaker: throwing firecrackers on their neighbor’s porch, jumping and yelling when he lost at cards and crushing his sisters in Monopoly, where he always played as the banker.
When their parents were declining in health later in life, Libby Foust also recalled her brother making a long drive every single week to take them out to dinner.
“I told him he was crazy for driving four hours every single week, one way,” Libby Foust said. “Just like he did on everything, he followed through — just like he did on the police force, just like he did with his love and commitment for his friends, fellow officers and his family.”
Barry Foust started work as an ACPD patrol officer in 1986 and later became a certified motor officer. He was patrolling at the intersection of Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike when American Airlines Flight 77 struck the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001.
Foust immediately reported information over the radio and remained working at the site for the following week, collecting evidence and the remains of victims.
Foust briefly retired in June 2019, but returned to work at the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department in March 2020. He came back to ACPD in December 2022 to help with the department’s staffing shortage.
Foust died on May 22 following a pancreatic cancer diagnosis. A police procession honoring Foust’s service drove by the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial yesterday morning.
People paused and saluted as the procession for Corporal Barry Foust drove by the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial late this morning. Corporal Foust died on May 22nd of 9/11-related cancer. He had retired from @ArlingtonVaPD in 2019 after 32 years. Foust later worked for @MWAAHQ… pic.twitter.com/BU7xBDYCWb
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) June 2, 2026
“Barry was intentional in choosing to do something extraordinary with his professional life: to hold those who commit crimes accountable, to be there for people in their time of need and to protect the Arlington community,” ACPD Chief Andy Penn said.
Penn described Foust’s “unrivaled work ethic,” referring to him as “a true team player and a person who always, always got the job done.”
“Barry, your years of service span across police generations, and your legacy is forever woven into the fabric of our agency,” Penn said. “We will continue to do our best to live up to your work ethic and standard of excellence in policing. On behalf of the men and women of the Arlington County Police Department, we salute your decades of exceptional service, your commitment to duty and to your fellow officers, and for all that you did for our agency, our profession and our community.”
In lieu of flowers, Foust’s family has requested donations to PanCAN, a pancreatic research organization, or to Tunnel to Towers, an organization benefiting first responders.
Today, family and friends, including current and retired members of the Arlington County Police Department, gathered to honor and remember our fallen brother, Corporal Barry Foust, who passed away following his battle with 9/11-related cancer. pic.twitter.com/ChyN3fOMj0
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) June 2, 2026
