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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Benny Berry was shot and killed as he and Deputy Sheriff Walter Eckert attempted to serve a felony warrant on a man for writing bad checks. At 9:30 a.m., the deputies entered the man's residence at 7401 Grover Avenue in Austin after being told by a neighbor that the man was inside the home. The suspect opened fire on the deputies with an M-1 carbine, mortally wounding Deputy Berry in the chest and Deputy Eckert in the hip and calf. Deputy Eckert returned fire but did not strike the shooter as he fled the house. Deputy Eckert went to the house next door for back-up. The suspect, who was on federal probation, was arrested and sentenced to 99 years in prison, but was released after serving only 13 years. Deputy Eckert was transported to Brackenridge Hospital. Due to his wounds, he was medically retired. He succumbed to his wounds on June 4, 1975. Deputy Berry had served with the Travis County Sheriff's Office for almost six years. He was survived by his son and by his wife, a dispatcher at the Travis County Sheriff's Office. It was his wife who received the first call of "Officer Down" at the Sheriff's office when her husband was shot and killed at the scene.
Survivors
He was survived by his son and by his wife, a dispatcher at the Travis County Sheriff's Office.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Berry gave the Travis County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Berry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Travis County Sheriff's Department has lost 8 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Benjamin is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Benjamin is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1967, 1 officer at Travis County Sheriff's Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1967, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1967, 105 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 48th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1967, 107 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 56th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Benjamin was 57. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Travis County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 42 and 53.3; the middle age was 48. Benjamin had served 5.8 years; the middle length of service was 7.4 years.
Benjamin was 57. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. Benjamin had served 5.8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Benjamin was 57. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 5.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Benjamin was 57. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Benjamin had served 5.8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
February holds 33.3% of these deaths at Travis County Sheriff's Department; November holds the most, 33.3%. Wednesdays: 33.3%.
February holds 7.6% of these deaths in TX; December holds the most, 10.4%. Wednesdays: 13.1%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
February holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 8 deaths at Travis County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Travis County Sheriff's Department has 8 officers remembered here, Benjamin among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 7-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Travis County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
