Officer Who Called in 9/11 Attack on Pentagon Dies from Service-Related Cancer
A local department is mourning the loss of a historic law enforcement hero who has passed away from service-related cancer.
The officer is Arlington County Police Department Corporal Barry Foust. Passing away on May 22 at the age of 64, it has been confirmed that his death was a direct result of toxic exposure suffered while assisting recovery efforts at the Pentagon following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
In an announcement by the Arlington County Police Department, Foust's passing has been recognized as an official line-of-duty death. Officials note that Foust was the exact patrol officer responsible for initiating the entire regional emergency response to the attack on the nation's military headquarters.
What Was Foust's Role on 9/11?
On the morning of September 11, Foust was on routine patrol at the intersection of Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike when American Airlines Flight 77 was intentionally crashed into the building. While he did not see the plane strike the structure directly, he rolled down his window to listen for an impact and immediately spotted a massive plume of smoke rising over the horizon. He grabbed his radio microphone, alerted dispatch to a downed plane to his east, and cleared local roadways so medical helicopters could land safely at the site.
Following his initial report, Foust immediately shifted from patrol duties to the hazardous ground zero terrain. He spent the subsequent week working at the smoldering crash site, dedicating long hours to collecting vital evidence and recovering the remains of those who lost their lives.
The toxic dust and debris from that week-long assignment ultimately caught up with him decades later. He was officially diagnosed with 9/11-related cancer in June 2025, launching a courageous battle that ended under a year later. Foust is the second officer in the Arlington County Police Department's history to succumb to 9/11-related cancer.
Foust's commitment to his community extended well beyond that historic day. He initially joined the ACPD in 1986, working for over three decades before retiring in June 2019. But retirement couldn't keep him away from uniform service; he briefly joined the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police Department, and later returned to the ACPD in December 2022 to help the station handle post-pandemic staffing shortages. In total, he dedicated more than 35 years to protecting the public.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on May 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
2026 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.
This story was originally published May 29, 2026 at 11:46 AM.