Officer to be laid to rest

By Tracy Bell

Published: June 12, 2008

STAFFORD — A Fredericksburg policeman killed while searching for an armed suspect in Fredericksburg on Friday night will be laid to rest Thursday.

Todd Allen Bahr, 40, died of a single gunshot wound to the head, according to Natatia Bledsoe, public information officer for the Fredericksburg Police Department.

Family and friends were on hand for a Wednesday evening visitation at Covenant Funeral Home, and on Thursday, many are expected to pay tribute to the fallen officer whom people are referring to as a hero.

After a memorial service Thursday at Spotswood Baptist Church, Bahr will be laid to rest locally at Sunset Memorial Gardens.

Chief David Nye released a statement following the death of Bahr: “The men and women of the Fredericksburg Police Department are shocked and saddened by the loss of Officer Bahr. This is a very tight-knit department and we will never forget him. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family,” he said.

On the night of June 6, an officer responded to the 2300 block of Cowan Blvd at 8:30 pm for a female resident reporting that her ex-boyfriend had threatened her.

Gregory Berryman, 47, whose last known address was in Stafford, had a history of prior violence .

At 10:50 pm, officers responded to the apartment for reports that Berryman was outside brandishing a handgun. When the residents called 911, Berryman left the scene.

After a reported exchange of gunfire around 11:05 p.m. at another location between officers and Berryman, Berryman shot Bahr and killed him, according to the police.

Berryman was struck more than once by police gunfire before he shot himself in the head, according to the police department. Berryman was killed.

The investigation continues with the assistance of the Virginia State Police and the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office.

Bahr had been an officer with the Fredericksburg Police Department since 2006.