Deputy Sheriff Delbert L. Berry

Delbert L. Berry

Deputy Berry was shot and killed on the Navajo Reservation while transporting a prisoner to jail. He had responded to the reservation to investigate a burglary of two cases of beer from a off-reservation bar.

As he transported one of the prisoners back to the jail he came across a van parked at a trading post. As he pulled up to the trading post to investigate eight members of the American Indian Movement exited the van and opened fire on his patrol car, killing him.

The suspects freed Deputy Berry's prisoner, stole his duty weapons and patrol car, and fled the scene. The suspects were all arrested within a few days. Five of the suspects were sentenced to jail for terms ranging from 5 to 10 years.

Deputy Berry had only served with the agency for two weeks and had previously served with the McKinley County, New Mexico, Sheriff's Office for 5 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.