Raleigh, NC — A Wake County deputy was shot and killed while responding to a call Thursday night. Deputy Ned Byrd was found dead along an area of Battle Bridge Road with open fields on both sides. WRAL News cameras captured deputies escorting the lawmaker’s body from the scene. On Friday, law enforcement from multiple agencies was searching for the shooter. They were located along Battle Bridge Road near Auburn Knightdale Road and River Ridge Golf Club before 2 a.m. At a press conference Friday around noon, Sheriff Gerald Baker said a series of calls Thursday night brought Byrd and his K-9 partner to the scene. “We believe he may have made contact with someone and got out of their car to check on them and check on the suspicious activity,” Baker said. Byrd’s K-9, named Sasha, was still inside the vehicle, which Baker says suggests Byrd may not have seen what he was initially facing as much of a threat since he didn’t need his companion. Baker says Byrd also didn’t ask for backup. “So again, that allows us to understand that he didn’t feel the need for support,” he said. Byrd did not radio for help after he was shot, according to Baker. Deputies only came to the scene after Byrd was unresponsive long enough that they decided to check on his welfare. Baker says he thinks Byrd may have been caught off guard by whoever shot him. Byrd is believed to have died after 11 p.m There is dash cam footage from the vehicle that authorities are using to help with the investigation.
Deputy Ned Byrd: I loved serving and protecting
Byrd was a 13-year veteran of the Wake County Sheriff’s Office. He served as a member of the K-9 unit for approximately 5 years. Prior to that, he worked as a longtime detention officer in Wake County. Baker described Byrd as “very committed and dedicated.” “He loves to serve and protect his county,” Baker said. “He was always in a good mood and spirit.” During an emotional press conference early Friday morning, Baker tearfully announced the lawmaker’s death. Thursday night. Baker shared limited information but asked for prayers. “We will find who is responsible for this loss even in the midst of hurt and pain,” Baker said. Information about the shooting was limited, but a manhunt was underway in the area to locate the shooter. The fatal shooting comes just 10 days after a Wayne County deputy was shot and killed in an hours-long standoff. On Tuesday, a funeral was held for Lieut. Matthew Fishman, husband and father of two.
Six deputies have been shot in North Carolina in the past three weeks
On July 23, a Sampson County deputy, Caitlin Emanuel, was shot while responding to a stolen vehicle. He is recovering at home. On August 1, three Wayne County deputies were shot while issuing involuntary commitment papers, including Fishman, who died. The other two MPs are still recovering. On August 10, a Caswell County deputy was shot multiple times while serving domestic violence documents. He was last reported to be in critical condition. A retired deputy, Sgt. Brad Kirby, spoke to WRAL News Friday about the alarming rate of officer deaths. He assumed that the perpetrator was bound for another crime. “There’s obviously a mental health issue,” Kirby said. “In my opinion, I don’t think there’s a lot of accountability anymore. When you have suspects who are out on bond for some other crime and then they shoot a police officer just a few weeks after they get out of jail, that’s a problem.” WRAL Data Trackers found there have been 11 incidents in NC this year where a police officer was shot and injured or killed, including five in August. Nationally, the database shows at least 222 officer-involved shooting deaths or injuries this year. According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, a website that tracks law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty, there was a 14 percent increase in the number of officers who died from gun violence this year compared to last year. Similar to the statistics for non-police-involved gun violence, most incidents are reported in the warmer months of the year. Kirby also expressed concern about staffing issues and how that could affect safety. “When it comes to safety, we always believe in safety in numbers,” he said. “The climate officers are facing now, they’re leaving their jobs. Do you really want to go to work when you’re sure you might not come home? The risk is too high now.” Gov. Roy Cooper said the state is providing resources to help search for the suspect, saying we must do everything we can to support police officers who risk their lives to keep us safe.
