Wayne M. Barry
Agency patch
Detective

Wayne M. Barry

St. Petersburg Police Department — St. Petersburg, FL
Felonious
End of Watch May 23, 1929
Age 29
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
The Vigil Panel 57 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Detective Barry was shot and killed by a man who had just shot someone during a break-in. Detective Barry and another officer were assigned to a moonshine liquor investigation in the area of Merrill Avenue (now Arlington Avenue North). During a stakeout to observe an expected delivery of contraband, a burglar broke into a nearby home and shot the resident. The officers heard the shot and saw the suspect run from the rear of the house. While pursuing him on foot, the man shot and killed Officer Barry. The second officer returned fire, killing the man. Detective Barry had served with the St. Petersburg Police Department for 4 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and four children.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-0D43E5C5
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
April 2, 2026
Last updated
July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Barry gave the St. Petersburg Police Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the St. Petersburg community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Barry.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Location St. Petersburg, FL
Platform Identity sppd.pinellas.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 23, 1929
Tour of Duty 4 yrs
Age 29
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun; Unknown type
Offender Killed by another officer

Detective Wayne M. Barry is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At St. Petersburg Police Department, 12 of 16 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 75% of this agency's fallen.

St. Petersburg Police Department
12
of 16 officers
75% Felonious
FL — Statewide
539
of 1,008 officers
53.5% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Wayne M. Barry's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Wayne M. Barry Compares

Age at End of Watch
29
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
4
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Killed by another officer

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Wayne M. Barry is highlighted in May.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Wayne M. Barry was killed by gun; unknown type.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518