By David Larson
Raleigh, NC – The N.C. Sheriffs’ Association is not taking the recent violence against deputies across the state lying down. After a seventh deputy was killed or injured by gunfire in a three-week period, they are offering an $100,000 reward for information that leads to the capture of a murdered Wake County deputy.
“We are saddened and horrified by the recent acts of violence in which 7 members of our profession have been injured or killed by gunfire in less than 3 weeks,” a social media post from the NCSA said. “To show our support of all law enforcement officers, we are offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Wake County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Ned Byrd.”
Byrd was in a rural area of southeastern Wake County when he was attacked. The Wake County Sheriff’s Office released photos of a “single-cab pickup truck similar to a Chevrolet Colorado or a GMC Canyon” that may have been involved, but no suspect has been apprehended yet.
The Wake County Sheriff’s Office also announced on Tuesday that Byrd’s house was apparently broken into in the days after the shooting, adding an extra wrinkle in the investigation. A white 2019 Toyota Tacoma as well as a 2020 Flyer camping trailer were missing from Byrd’s property.
After Byrd’s death, the N.C. Sheriffs’ Association posted in recognition of all the other recent law enforcement shootings in the state, saying, “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Wake County Sheriff’s Office, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, NC, Caswell County Sheriff’s Office and the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office.”
Those with information on Byrd’s death are asked to call the Wake County Sheriff’s Office at (919) 306-6931 or (919) 306-7748.