RALEIGH — A local bridge now honors a Wake County sheriff's deputy killed in the line of duty.
The N.C. Department of Transportation named the bridge on Auburn Knightdale Road over the Neuse River, the Deputy Ned P. Byrd Bridge, who was killed in the line of duty on Aug. 15, 2022. The department along with Byrd's family, friends and colleagues held a dedication event to unveil the replica signs that stand at the bridge today. The dedication follows a request by Wake County Sheriff Willie Rowe and a resolution adopted by the Wake County Board of Commissioners in July 2024 recognizing Byrd's service and sacrifice.
“Deputy Byrd's selfless service will now be permanently remembered," Sheriff Rowe said. “May all who cross this bridge remember the dedication of a true public servant. While this bridge dedication follows the sacrifice of a great deputy, friend, brother and son, we are thankful Deputy Byrd's service can be remembered permanently." Byrd, 48, began his career with the Wake County Sheriff's Office as a detention officer in 2009. He was promoted to sergeant in 2015 and became a sworn deputy in 2018 after graduating from the agency's Basic Law Enforcement Training Academy. He joined the K-9 Unit in 2020, working closely with his partner Sasha to search for missing persons and detect narcotics.
Byrd's sister, Mignon Byrd, said, “Ned was known for his love of others, his sense of humor, family, friends, country and community. He was a proud servant of our community, our country and the state of North Carolina. We didn't lose Ned alone — our community, his friends, co-workers and even those he never had the chance to meet lost a great man who lived his life with selfless purpose."
Sergeant Andrew Staton, a close friend and colleague, added, “Deputy Byrd was a great friend and partner. He is very deserving of this bridge dedication, and it is appreciated by a multitude of friends and family. I personally, along with many others, think of him daily and hope this bridge carries on his memory as well."