Metropolitan Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Thursday, February 16, 1978
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: 551
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 16, 1978
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Convicted of First-Degree Murder
Officer Bernis Carr was shot and killed when he was identified as an officer during a robbery while he was off duty.
He was in a bar at 4801 Georgia Avenue, NW, when four men entered it. They emptied the register and then began robbing patrons.
Officer Carr had prepared himself for a shootout by removing his gun from its holster and concealing it. When the robbers discovered the empty holster Officer Carr opened fire but the suspects returned fire, striking him several times. The shooter was convicted of first-degree murder.
Officer Carr had served with the Metropolitan Police Department for 11 years. He was survived by his wife.