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Incident
Sergeant Wilbur Berry was shot and killed while he and two deputies were struggling with a burglary suspect.
The deputies had responded to a residence after neighbors reported suspicious activity. The deputies discovered a stolen truck in the backyard and searched the house. During the first search, they did not locate anyone, so they started to process the stolen truck. When the deputies searched the house again, they discovered a man hiding in a bedroom. The deputies attempted to arrest him, and the suspect began to struggle.
They were able to get one handcuff on the suspect when he suddenly grabbed a deputy's handgun out of its holster. The deputy immediately sprayed the suspect with OC, but he was able to fire the weapon, striking Sergeant Berry four times and the second deputy twice. The third deputy on the scene returned fire, fatally wounding the suspect.
Sergeant Berry was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Sergeant Berry had served with the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, four daughters, his mother, three brothers, three sisters, and five grandchildren.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Berry gave the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Statesboro community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Berry.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Wilbur is the only officer of Bulloch County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Wilbur is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Wilbur is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Wilbur is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 2001, 2 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 90th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2001, 158 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 23rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2001, 160 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 27th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Wilbur was 53. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Wilbur had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilbur was 53. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Wilbur had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Wilbur was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Wilbur had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
May holds 8.6% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
May holds 8.5% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Bulloch County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.7% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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