In the quiet of a late spring day in Bulloch County, Georgia, a dedicated law enforcement officer responded to what would be his final call. Sergeant Wilbur Lewis Berry, a 53-year-old white male, was a 20-year veteran of the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office. On May 19, 2001, he was on duty, covering a shift for a fellow deputy who was celebrating his son's birthday.
That afternoon, a report of suspicious activity at a residence on Simons Road came in, forever altering the lives of many.
Responding with two other deputies, Sergeant Berry arrived at the scene to find a stolen truck parked in the backyard. The officers proceeded to search the house. Initially, they found no one inside and began to process the stolen vehicle. A second search of the home, however, revealed a man hiding in a bedroom. This individual was wanted in connection with a series of other crimes. As the deputies moved to arrest him, a violent struggle erupted.
Despite the deputies' efforts to subdue the man, which included the use of pepper spray and getting one handcuff on him, the situation escalated dramatically. The suspect managed to seize a handgun from one of the deputies' holsters and began firing. Sergeant Berry was struck four times. Another deputy, Investigator Bill Black, was hit twice but survived his injuries. The third deputy on the scene returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
Tragically, Sergeant Wilbur Lewis Berry succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to a local hospital. The suspect was killed at the scene, and therefore no arrests were made in connection with Sergeant Berry's death. The case did not lead to any further litigation. Sergeant Berry was remembered as a man with a big heart, always willing to help others. He was survived by his wife, four daughters, his mother, three brothers, three sisters, and five grandchildren. His death was a profound loss to his family, the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, and the community he had served for two decades.
