| Deputy Sheriff William Henry O'Berry Pasco County Sheriff's Office Florida End of Watch: Friday, January 1, 1926 Biographical Info Age: 36 Tour of Duty: Not available Badge Number: Not available Incident Details Cause of Death: Gunfire Date of Incident: Friday, January 1, 1926 Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type Suspect Info: Lynched by mob Deputy O'Berry was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man in Hernando County. The suspect was wanted in Pasco County for stealing an automobile.
As Deputy O'Berry placed handcuffs on the suspect, the man suddenly ran towards the back of his house. Deputy O'Berry chased the man to the rear of the house where he was shot by the suspect.
The man fled the scene and was able to avoid a massive manhunt. He was arrested in Marion County several days later after being shot while fleeing officers. As the Hernando County sheriff and a deputy returned the suspect from Marion they were accosted by a group of angry citizens. The citizens took custody of the suspect and lynched him.
Deputy O'Berry was survived by his parents and siblings. |