Incident
Patrolman Michael Barry suffered a fatal heart attack while assisting two escapees into a police wagon at the intersection of Essex Street and Harvard Street.
The two girls had escaped from the mental ward at McLean Hospital earlier in the day. Several nurses from the hospital who were on their day off saw the girls riding bicycles near Harvard Square and alerted Patrolman Barry. He and the nurses followed the girls on foot for over one mile before a police wagon arrived. As he assisted the girls into the car he suddenly collapsed.
Patrolman Barry was taken to Cambridge City Hospital where he was pronounced dead.
Patrolman Barry was survived by his wife and daughter.
Survivors
Patrolman Barry was survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
25 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Barry gave the Cambridge Police Department 25 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Cambridge community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Barry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Cambridge Police Department has lost 12 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Michael is one of 44 officers lost to cardiac events in MA, 9.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Michael is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Michael is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 1 officer in MA was lost to cardiac events, the 9th heaviest of 36 years on record. The heaviest was 1950, with 2.
In 1963, 20 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1963, 20 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 10th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Michael was 53. Of the 43 lost to cardiac events in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 54.5; the middle age was 50. Michael had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 20 years.
Michael was 53. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Michael had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Michael was 53. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Michael had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
June holds 18.2% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Thursdays: 20.5%.
June holds 7.2% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
June holds 7.3% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14.5%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 8.3% of all 12 deaths at Cambridge Police Department, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Cambridge Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, Michael among them.
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William Loughrey Jun 26, 1860
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Thomas F. Dynan
Jan 4, 1912
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Michael Joseph Bannon
Oct 1, 1918
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John William Donnelly
Oct 3, 1918
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James Andrew Cox
Dec 27, 1918
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Thomas J. Riley
Nov 20, 1920
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Lochlin Gavin
Dec 30, 1920
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John J. Guthrie
Dec 26, 1926
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Charles Edward Bradley
Dec 13, 1934
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Albert Gustave Eckart
Nov 3, 1951
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Lawrence W. Gorman
Sep 3, 1960
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Michael Joseph Barry Jun 13, 1963
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-WT
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Cambridge Police Department are honored on badge.nw.









