Deputy's death confirmed as self-inflicted

On Tuesday, Branden Berry's mother pinned his new Douglas County Sheriff's Office badge on his chest. The next morning, the 22-year-old dressed for duty, left his home in Carson City, stopped behind the Target and shot himself.

"We feel terrible," said Sheriff Ron Pierini on Friday. "He went through all the testing, the background checks, there was never any indication, any hint that he might commit suicide."

Pierini said deputies were offering their condolences to Berry's mother, who he said they would do everything they could to help.

"She's a single mother with one (remaining) child," he said. "We will give them as much support as possible. We're not going to forget her."

Officers have been bringing homecooked meals to Berry's mother and sister, according to Sgt. Tom Mezzetta.

Pierini said Berry's suicide was extremely puzzling. An autopsy Friday confirmed the initial finding that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"He put himself through the academy on his own dollar," Pierini said. Berry graduated from the Western Nevada State Peace Officer Academy on Aug. 9.

Pierini said officers spoke to his family, friends and classmates from the 30-week course.

"There wasn't even anything on the horizon," Pierini said. "There was nothing to indicate that he might take his own life. We spoke with people close to him, who went to school with him. They described him as extremely bright and a great communicator. We feel robbed that we didn't get to work with this young man who had the potential to be an outstanding professional law enforcement officer."

About 20 sheriff's personnel were debriefed on Friday with a professional psychologist.

"This has made a huge impact on our department," Pierini said. "A lot of our people worked with him and knew him while he was undergoing his education. I think it's important that anyone having any emotional problems about this be given the ability to seek some help."

Pierini pointed out that 15 people a year commit suicide every year in Douglas County.

"The only thing you can do is educate the public to look for the signs and reach out to everyone that it is our duty to help people in need. The mind is a fragile organ. He didn't share any indication whatsoever. We talked to people and they thought he was an A-plus."

Pierini said jail personnel are trained to recognize signs of potential suicide in inmates.

"We've given a lot of training in suicide prevention, especially in the jail where we have to evaluate people," he said.

While suicide rates are generally higher among law enforcement officers than in the general population, this is the first instance in recent history where a Douglas County officer has taken his own life.

"I've been here 34 years and we've never lost an officer to suicide before," Pierini said.

No memorial service has been announced.