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'This was senseless': Uncle, sister of slain Wake County deputy try to process tragic death

Local leaders will honor a Wake County deputy killed on the job last week as the manhunt for the person responsible enters day four.

Posted Updated

By
Matt Talhelm
and
Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporters
RALEIGH, N.C. — Tuesday marks the fifth day in the extensive search for the person who shot and killed Deputy Ned Byrd last week.

The Wake County Sheriff's Office on Monday released four photos of a white truck believed to be connected to Byrd's death.

Wake County Sheriff's Office releases photos of white truck believed to be involved in deputy's shooting death

Deputy Ned Byrd was found dead around 1 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 11 in a rural area of Battle Bridge Road. He had been shot multiple times, and officials believe he was killed around two hours before he was found.

The sheriff's office said the truck is similar to a Chevrolet Colorado or a GMC Canyon.

The North Carolina Sheriff's Association also announced Monday the organization is offering $100,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing Deputy Ned Byrd.

"Byrd died while protecting the community he served and will always be remembered for his selfless sacrifice," said Sig Hutchinson, chair of the Board of Commissioners.

"The North Carolina Sheriff's Association, representing all 100 sheriffs in our state, is horrified by the recent acts of violence in which seven members of our profession have been injured or killed by gunfire in less than three weeks," a spokesman for the organization said in a statement.

"We grieve with the families of the affected officers, and we offer our condolences to their friends, co-workers and communities."

Funeral arrangements for Byrd have also been announced. Visitation will be Thursday from 3 to 8 p.m. at Mitchell Funeral Home at 7209 Glenwood Ave. Byrd's funeral will be Friday at 11 a.m. at Providence Baptist Church at 6339 Glenwood Ave.

Byrd's uncle, who is driving to Raleigh from Indiana, described Byrd as a "great guy, very disciplined and well-loved."

“It’s still hard to process," said Walter Penney. "There’s a lot of tears throughout the day.”

"This was senseless," said Mignon Perkins, Byrd's sister. "This was hateful, this was evil ... to be done to my brother."

A series of calls on Thursday night brought Byrd and his K-9 partner to the scene.

Battle Bridge Road remained closed at Auburn Knightdale Road as authorities continued to investigated.

"We'll be out there until we get the answers we're looking for in terms of finding out who's responsible," Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker said on Monday.

Baker said he's satisfied with the progress in the investigation.

"The investigation began with very limited things that would help us, so we're taking what we have and we're getting there," he said.

The State Bureau of Investigation, FBI and ATF are also assisting with the investigation. Baker promised his term in office will come to a close with a deputy's killer caught.

"I don’t have very long, but I’ll spend every single second left bringing this person to justice," said Baker.

A folded thin blue line American flag rests on the bar at Lola, where Byrd was a regular at, while another flag flies outside.

"What's been done cannot be undone, so you can't dwell on that. The only thing you can do is let in the memories of the good times," said owner Larry Carter.

Carter said his 15-year friendship with Byrd grew out of jiu-jitsu.

"He was a super awesome competitor, a fierce warrior and a very, very compassionate friend," said Carter.

Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker said they're looking for a man who may have been driving a white pickup truck. The sheriff's office has not released any dash cam video from the deputy's car or surveillance video from a nearby gas station.

Byrd's K-9, named Sasha, was still inside the vehicle, which Baker said indicates Byrd may not have 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. Deputies came to the scene after not hearing from Byrd for several hours.

Baker said Sasha is currently being cared for by Byrd's supervisor.

"We're going to love her. We're going to put her back to work. I think that will help her," said Baker.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Wake County sheriff's Office at 919-856-6800.

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