Dog Guards Body Of Ex-Pittsburgh Firefighter Who Was Fatally Shot

A former Pittsburgh firefighter’s dog guarded his body on the street after he was fatally shot Sunday night in the Marshall-Shadeland section of the city, police said.

Police said Mark Barry, 55, of the North Side, was gunned down around 10 p.m. as he was walking his dog along Mullins Street near Woodland Avenue. He had been shot in the chest.

When officers arrived, Barry's dog was guarding the body, police said.

The flag at Engine Co. 38 on the North Side, the fire house where Barry worked, was lowered to half-staff Monday in his honor.

“He was always dependable,” Lt. John Sharp said. “He took his job very seriously and you were in good shape if you had a fire with Marko.”

Barry, a former Marine, retired several years ago after serving as a firefighter for 27 years. His locker, No. 55, still bears his name at the fire station.

Neighbor Michael Rosborough said Barry got the dog because his house was recently burglarized.

“He was helpful around the neighborhood,” Rosborough said of Barry. “He cut the neighbor’s grass.”

Others were shocked to hear of a shooting in their neighborhood, which they said is a quiet place.

“We saw cops up here and the body was just laying on the ground motionless,” Joshua Dumont said. “It was very, very scary.”

No arrests have been made. Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

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