RALEIGH, N.C. — Wake County Deputy Ned Byrd was shot and killed in the line of duty Thursday night, according to Wake County Sheriff's Office. Authorities are searching for whoever pulled the trigger.
Wake County deputies are requesting the public’s help in identifying a single cab pickup truck that was involved in Byrd’s death.
The Associated Press reports that Byrd stopped his car near Battle Bridge and Auburn Knightdale roads - about a quarter mile from a gas station - in Raleigh just after 11 p.m. Authorities said someone shot Byrd while he was outside of his vehicle. They said they're trying to learn by Byrd stopped his vehicle along a dark stretch of highway.
Deputies said the truck is like a Chevrolet Colorado or GMC Canyon.
The North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association is offering $100,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Byrd's death, according to CBS affiliate WNCN.
"It breaks my heart to have to report that a member of this office was fatally wounded," Wake County Sheriff Gerald Baker said. "We will find who's responsible."
Byrd served the county for 13 years, first as a detention officer before becoming a deputy.
Sheriff Baker asked for prayers and patience as they continue to investigate what happened.
Former Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison said he served alongside Byrd.
"He was a detention officer for me, his goal was to be a deputy," Harrison told WNCN. "He was one happy person and I was one happy person for him. That's what makes it so hard."
Several North Carolina law enforcement officers have been shot in the line of duty in recent weeks.
Last week, Wayne County Deputy, Sgt. Matthew Fishman died in the line of duty.
On Wednesday, a man shot and injured Caswell County deputy Arran Tyndall while he was serving domestic violence papers. Tyndall is home from the hospital and recovering.