Sergeant Wilbur Lewis Berry, 53, a 20-year veteran of the Bulloch County Sheriff’s Office, was killed on May 19, 2001 while on duty. Responding with two other deputies to a report of suspicious activity on Simons Road, they found a stolen truck in the backyard and searched the residence. A second sweep located a man hiding in a bedroom who was wanted in connection with other crimes. During the attempted arrest a struggle broke out; the suspect seized a deputy’s handgun and opened fire. Sergeant Berry was struck four times and later died at a local hospital. Investigator Bill Black was shot twice and survived; the suspect was fatally shot at the scene and no arrests resulted.

Sergeant Berry was remembered as having a big heart and was survived by his wife, four daughters, his mother, three brothers, three sisters, and five grandchildren.