ARLINGTON, Va. — The Arlington County Police Department is mourning the loss of Corporal Barry Foust, a veteran officer whose career became closely tied to one of the darkest days in the region’s history.
Foust died Friday, May 22, after battling cancer connected to his work at the Pentagon following the September 11 terrorist attacks. He was 9/11 first responder whose decades-long career in Arlington left a lasting mark on the department and the community he served.
On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Foust was on patrol near Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike when American Airlines Flight 77 slammed into the Pentagon. According to Arlington County police, he was among the first officers to report details of the attack over the radio, helping launch Arlington’s emergency response.
In the days that followed, Foust remained at the Pentagon site, assisting with evidence collection and the recovery of victims’ remains. More than two decades later, in June 2025, he was diagnosed with cancer tied to those recovery efforts.
For many in Arlington, the Pentagon attack was not just a national tragedy — it was a local one. The smoke rising across the Potomac could be seen from neighborhoods throughout the county, and first responders like Foust became part of the community’s shared memory of that day.
Foust joined the Arlington County Police Department in 1986 and spent more than three decades serving the county. He later became a certified Motor Officer, focusing on traffic safety enforcement, public education, and supporting major regional events, including races and presidential escorts that frequently move through Arlington’s streets.
After retiring in 2019 following 32 years with the department, Foust continued working in public safety with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department. Even then, Arlington officials said he regularly returned to help with mutual aid operations and large-scale events such as the Marine Corps Marathon.
When police staffing shortages hit departments across Northern Virginia after the pandemic, Foust returned to Arlington County Police in December 2022.
“Corporal Barry Foust truly embodied the spirit of public service, dedicating over 35 years to the safety and protection of others,” Arlington County Police Chief Andy Penn said in a statement. “His response to the terrorist attack at the Pentagon is a testament to his bravery and unwavering commitment to being there for people in their time of need.”
Penn also described Foust as a mentor to younger officers and someone whose impact extended well beyond patrol duties.
Foust’s death marks the eighth line-of-duty death in Arlington County Police history and the department’s second line-of-duty death tied to 9/11-related cancer.
Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. The Foust family has asked for privacy.