Barry Burton was one of the more seasoned and experienced members of the S.T.A.R.S Alpha Team, designated as BUM (Backup Man). One of his closest personal friends was Robert Kendo, who liased with Barry into the customization of several weapons used by the S.T.A.R.S. team such as the Samurai Edge. Barry himself is known as a gun nut and collector by his peers and has a love for high caliber revolvers. The love of Barry's life however is his wife Kathy and two daughters, Moira and Polly, and he is a good husband and father. He is mild-mannered, trustworthy and emotional with a strong sense of duty, justice and responsibility. He is hot-blooded and has a love of justice and a hatred for evil. 1 2 3 4
History
Early History
Barry led a decorated 16 year career in numerous branches of law enforcement and the U.S. military - including S.W.A.T. (Special Weapons and Tactics) and the United States Air Force. During his time in the air force, he served in the same unit as Chris Redfield with whom he participated on several missions together. His exceptionall knowledge of firearms reinforce his skills well beyond that of what is needed to exercise his trade. His sense of justice became very developed over the years and he is very close to his family, of whom he always carries a photo of everywhere he goes. In 1996, Barry joined S.T.A.R.S.-- the newly established Special Forces unit of the Raccoon City Police Department. He also regularly went on fishing trips to the neighbouring town of Stoneville with Robert Kendo.
S.T.A.R.S.
After the establishment of S.T.A.R.S in 1996, Barry was appointed to the S.T.A.R.S Alpha Team, with his personality and experience making him an ideal candidate. His role in this position was to act as the weapons specialist of the team, as well as BUM (Backup Man). Thanks to the grants provided by Umbrella, Barry was able to order customized guns for the S.T.A.R.S. team. In order to do this, he regularly contracted his close friend Robert Kendo to make these weapons. Thanks to Umbrella, Barry was able to order and specify an immense range of advanced weapons, such as the M92FS Samurai Edge and its variations. He also took up responsibility for the maintenance and resupply of firepower for the unit. His good nature quickly earned him the trust of his team mates.
Mansion Incident ~ Jul. 24, 1998
Just before the infamous Mansion Incident, Barry ordered a weapon called the "Raging Bull" from Robert Kendo. Sometime before he was dispatched, his beloved family was kidnapped by Albert Wesker, who revealed his intentions during the incident to Barry in order to use him as bait for the other S.T.A.R.S. members. However, Barry was misled by Wesker who claimed that his family was kidnapped by the Umbrella Corporation. On July 24, 1998, Barry was dispatched into the Raccoon Forest along with the rest of Alpha Team to investigate the disappearance of S.T.A.R.S Bravo Team, who had disappeared during their own investigation into the mysterious deaths occurring in the Arklay Mountains. During their search, Alpha Team discovered the crashed helicopter that had been used by Bravo Team. Barry, along with Chris Redfield, Jill Valentine, Joseph Frost and Captain Albert Wesker, proceeded down and found the remains of Kevin Dooley, the pilot for Bravo Team. Shortly thereafter, Joseph was attacked and killed by groups of Cerberus - dogs that had been infected with the t-virus. Facing overwhelming opposition, the surviving members of Alpha Team - including Barry - made their escape into a mansion; the Arklay Laboratory.
During the incident, Barry acted primarily under Wesker's orders, almost killing Jill in the process. However, with the thoughts of his injured team mates at the forefront of his mind, Barry quickly regained his sense of justice. The fact that Barry's family were kidnapped by Wesker alone ensured their safety. Along with Jill, Barry managed to escape the facility moments before the self destruction sequence reached its end along with Chris and Rebecca Chambers.
Jill's Rescue ~ Oct. 1, 1998
Immediately after the Arklay Incident, Barry proceeded to move his family to Canada before intending to join up with Chris Redfield in Europe in their investigation into Umbrella. However, with the media frenzy surrounding the viral outbreak in Raccoon City, Barry felt compelled to repay his comrades for forgiving his betrayal, feeling responsible for their current predicament. Barry commandeered a civilian helicopter to rescue Jill Valentine from Raccoon City. Waiting for the U.S. Army to lift their seige of the city prior to the impending missile strike, Barry established contact with Carlos Oliveira and managed to arrive just moments before the bombing at dawn of October 2, and managed to rescue both Jill and Carlos in a rescue that nearly cost all of them their lives.
Footnotes
- 1. Barry Burton Profile
- 2. Biohazard Kaitaishinsho ~ page 016
- 3. Biohazard 3 Last Escape Official Guidebook - Fulfilment Of Her Escape ~ page 136
- 4. Resident Evil Archives ~ page 111