Barry has been a police officer for twenty-one years, working first for the city of La Mesa, California, and for the last fifteen years in Gresham, Oregon. In early 1994, he joined the SWAT tactical unit of Gresham SERT (Special Emergency Response Team) and served as the team's primary sniper from 1996 to 1999.

He left the tactical unit in 1999, and later joined the Crisis Negotiation Unit, where he currently serves as the team's lead hostage negotiator.

In the past, Barry has served as a field training officer, a School Resource Officer, and a Public Information Officer. His is currently attached to the Traffic Unit, where he serves as a motorcycle officer and an investigator on the Vehicular Crimes Team.

In 2005, Barry received the Gresham Police Department's highest award, the Medal of Valor, as well as the Oregon Peace Officers Association Lifesaving Award, for disarming and arresting a homicide suspect who had just murdered his brother-in-law and was in the process of stabbing himself with the same butcher knife used in the murder.

Of his motorcycle assignment, Barry has been heard to say, "I ride someone else's Harley while they pay for gas and the upkeep, and I get paid to do it. Duh."

Barry was born and raised in Warren, OH. He is married and has six children and two grandchildren. He, his wife, and their three youngest children make their home in Gresham, Oregon.