North Kingstown police mourn loss of 'brother police officer' Capt. Paul Barry
The North Kingstown Police Department is mourning the loss of a "cop's cop" police captain who served with the department for 26 years.
"It is with much sadness that our department informs you of the passing of our friend and brother Police Officer, Captain Paul Barry," the Police Department says in a Facebook post.
Barry, 48, died Monday at Rhode Island Hospital "after losing a battle with a sudden onset illness," the Facebook post says.
"Everyone that knew Captain Barry, knew that he was a True-Blue Cop’s Cop to the end!," the post says.
An alumnus of Roger Williams University, Barry graduated from the Rhode Island Municipal Police Academy in December 1995 and began his career with the Police Department.
He started work as an acting captain in October 2015 before his promotion was made permanent in July 2016, according to the Facebook post. He also worked as a detective, sergeant and lieutenant.
"Throughout his career, Captain Barry received numerous department and division commendations, as well as many letters of accolades. In addition, in 2005 he was named Rotary Police Officer of the Year," the post says.
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Survivors include his parents, John and Joan Barry, and his brother Kevin Barry. An older brother, Michael Barry, preceded him in death.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday in St. Bernard Church, 275 Tower Hill Rd., North Kingstown, according to an obituary on providencejournal.com. Burial will be in Elm Grove Cemetery, North Kingstown.
Visiting hours will be 4 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Fagan-Quinn Funeral Home, 825 Boston Neck Rd., North Kingstown.
The flag at North Kingstown's public safety complex will be flown at half-staff until Barry's burial.
jperry@providencejournal.com
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This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: North Kingstown Police Capt. Paul Barry, 26-year veteran, dies at 48
