'Very dedicated:' Deputy found dead in Wake County did not radio for help, left K-9 in car

Raleigh, N.C. — A Wake County deputy was shot and killed while responding to a call Thursday night.

Deputy Ned Byrd, 48, was constitute dead around 1 a.chiliad. along an surface area of Boxing Span Road with open fields on either side. He had been shot multiple times, and officials believe he was killed effectually two hours before he was plant.

WRAL News cameras captured deputies escorting the deputy's torso from the scene.

A serial of calls on Thursday nighttime brought Byrd and his Thousand-nine partner to the scene, co-ordinate to Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker.

"Nosotros believe he may have come into contact with someone and gotten out of his car to check on them, and check on the suspicious activeness," said Baker.

Byrd'due south Chiliad-9, named Sasha, was still within the vehicle, which Baker says indicates Byrd may not take considered whatever he initially encountered to be a major threat, since he hadn't needed his partner. Baker says Byrd also didn't call for backup.

"So over again, that kind of lets us know he didn't feel a need for back up," he said.

Byrd didn't radio to let anyone know he was getting out of his vehicle to investigate, according to investigators. He also didn't radio for help after he was shot. Deputies came to the scene only after Byrd didn't answer for plenty time that they decided to check on his welfare. Baker says he believes Byrd may have been caught off guard by whoever shot him.

A massive search continues for the shooter, with dozens of law enforcement officers seen stationed along Battle Bridge Road almost Auburn Knightdale Road and the River Ridge Golf game Club.

Bakery says they are following leads — looking for a man who might be driving a white pickup truck.

Investigators are combing through fields, using ATVs and a helicopter – looking for clues that could help them slice together the final moments of Byrd's life.

He was not wearing a bodycam, but there is camera footage from the vehicle that authorities are using to help in the investigation.

"We will detect who's responsible for this loss, even in the midst of the hurt and the pain," Baker said.

Deputy Ned Byrd: Loved to serve and protect

Co-ordinate to Byrd's friends, becoming a deputy was his dream.

Byrd was a 13-yr veteran of the Wake County Sheriff's Office. He'd served every bit a member of the K-9 unit for virtually 5 years. Prior to that, he worked every bit a long-time detention officer in Wake County.

Baker described Byrd as "very dedicated and committed."

"He loves serving and protecting his county," said Baker. "He was always in a skillful mood and spirits."

Friends think him as someone who loved fitness, including mountain biking, lifting weights and martial arts. He trained regularly at Cary Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Jason Culbreth, the owner of the gym, was one of Byrd'due south best friends.

"He came in, and of grade we loved him correct away," said Culbreth.

While Byrd didn't have relatives in the surface area, Culbreth says they were like brothers.

"He was family to myself and my married woman. Came for holidays, birthday parties. Every celebration nosotros had, he was role of," said Culbreth.

Culbreth describes him as caring and eager to serve others.

"He was known for just piling too much into what he was doing, or committing to helping everybody. If anybody was moving or needed anything, needed something built, needed some furniture moved, he was e'er the first person to volunteer and be in that location," recalled Culbreth. "You wouldn't ever discover a amend person to serve others."

That servant'south heart is what drew him into police enforcement -- commencement as a detention officer, then, after years of difficult piece of work, achieving his dream of becoming a deputy.

"He took his job very seriously. He was a good cop. One of those guys that was in that location for the community," said Culbreth.

Culbreth was stunned to acquire from friends that it was Byrd who was killed.

"He was the pinnacle as far as fitness, being able to take care of himself. He was very active," he said. "More than capable of taking care of himself. So whatever happened, it was somebody only really out of nowhere."

He finds some condolement knowing Deputy Byrd died doing what he loved.

"He's what people wish more people in society were like," he said. "It'due south a shame to lose somebody like that."

Source: https://www.wral.com/very-dedicated-deputy-found-dead-in-wake-county-did-not-radio-for-help-left-k-9-in-car/20414313/

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