Racine judge dead of apparent suicide

Racine County Circuit Court Judge Dennis Barry was found dead Thursday morning of an apparent suicide, according to Racine County Medical Examiner Tom Terry.

Barry, 62, was pronounced dead at 9:15 a.m. Thursday. He said the judge was found along the bank of a river running through Lincoln Park in Racine County.

According to Terry, there was sufficient evidence that Barry had shot himself in the head, likely at some point on Wednesday evening.

“We are satisfied that the wound was self-induced and there won’t be an autopsy done,” he said.

Terry was on the scene Thursday morning and met with local police and prosecutors who determined there would be no further investigation of the incident.

Barry took the bench in Racine County in 1980. He was re-elected this spring and was serving in the civil division.

“It’s a shock,” Racine County Clerk of the Court Rose Lee said. “This is a tremendous loss to the county. Judge Barrry was very much loved and adored.”