Shooter on the loose: Manhunt for suspect who shot, killed Wake Co. deputy enters day 2

Deputy Ned Byrd, 48, was found dead around 1 a.m. along an area of Battle Bridge Road with open fields on either side. He had been shot multiple times, and officials believe he was killed around two hours before he was found.

It was all hands on deck on that stretch of road in southeastern Wake County for nearly 24 hours straight. Authorities still actively searching for the person who fired the shots that killed Byrd.

WRAL News cameras captured deputies escorting the deputy’s body from the scene.

A series of calls on Thursday night brought Byrd and his K-9 partner to the scene, according to Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker.

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

Byrd's K-9, named Sasha, was still inside the vehicle, which Baker says 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.

"So again, that kind of lets us know he didn't feel a need for support," 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 respond for enough time that they decided to check on his welfare.

Baker said he believes Byrd may have been caught off guard by whoever shot him.

A massive search continued into Saturday morning for the shooter, with dozens of law enforcement officers seen stationed along Battle Bridge Road near Auburn Knightdale Road and the River Ridge Golf Club.

Baker 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 piece together the final moments of Byrd's life.

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

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

According to Byrd's friends, becoming a deputy was his dream.

Byrd was a 13-year veteran of the Wake County Sheriff's Office. He'd served as a member of the K-9 unit for about 5 years. Prior to that, he worked as 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 good mood and spirits."

Friends remember 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's best friends.

"He came in, and of course we loved him right away," said Culbreth.

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

"He was family to myself and my wife. Came for holidays, birthday parties. Every celebration we had, he was part 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 always the first person to volunteer and be there," recalled Culbreth. "You wouldn’t ever find a better person to serve others."

That servant's heart is what drew him into law enforcement -- first as a detention officer, then, after years of hard 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 there for the community," said Culbreth.

Culbreth was stunned to learn 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 just really out of nowhere."

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

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