Former Police Captain Fatally Shoots Mother, Dies by Suicide During Traffic Stop on I-75

WHITLEY COUNTY, KY — A tragic sequence of events unfolded this past Sunday when former police captain Kevin Berry fatally shot his 77-year-old mother, Margie Berry, in her home in Berea, Kentucky, before taking his own life during a dramatic traffic stop on Interstate 75.

Authorities identified 51-year-old Kevin Berry as the suspect in the fatal shooting of his mother, whose body was discovered by Berea police early Sunday morning at her residence on Leslie Drive. Margie Berry was found with apparent gunshot wounds. After the shooting, Berry fled the scene in his vehicle, prompting a massive manhunt.

Whitley County deputies later located Berry’s car on I-75 near the 12.5-mile marker and initiated a traffic stop. The interstate was shut down in both directions as law enforcement worked to contain the situation, causing significant traffic delays. Upon approaching the vehicle, officers discovered Berry deceased from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Berry had a distinguished career in law enforcement, having served with the McKee Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department, and, more recently, the Laurel County Sheriff’s Department as a captain. However, his career was marred by several legal troubles after his departure from law enforcement. In 2021, Berry was arrested for driving under the influence and later faced multiple arrests for public intoxication and other offenses. His most recent charges, in 2023, included indecent exposure, disorderly conduct, and assault related to domestic violence.

The tragic events have left the community in shock, with many struggling to comprehend the violent end to a man once entrusted with serving the public.