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Funeral service will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, November4, 2024, at Ebenezer Missionary Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Greenlawn Memorial Park.

PRIVATE VIEWING

It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of James Oliver Berry, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and retired Police Chief. James passed away on October 28, 2024, at the age of 75. He was born on August 25, 1949 in Wilmington, NC to Oliver Berry and Elizabeth Carr Berry. In 2003, James met his loving wife, Lisa Campbell-Berry, and they were married on January 6, 2006. At the time of his passing, James and Lisa resided in Waxhaw, NC. James excelled academically and graduated from Williston Senior High School in 1967. He loved history and sharing his knowledge with others, often providing context for the current state of affairs—domestically and globally. Like so many other Blacks in the South who left during the Second Migration (1940 – 1970), James settled in CT to pursue better economic opportunities and distance himself from persistent racial discrimination. He attended Middlesex Community College in Middletown, CT and graduated in 1988 with an AS in Criminal Justice. Further challenging himself, James continued his education at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, CT to pursue a BS in Sociology and Criminal Justice—graduating in 2001 with honors. In 2007 he received a graduate certification in Homeland Security Management from St. Joseph College in West Hartford, CT.  With over 40 years as a public servant, James' career in law enforcement and public safety began in 1975 when he was hired by the Hartford Police Department (HPD). He rose from the ranks of Patrol Officer to Detective, Sergeant, Lieutenant, Deputy Chief, Captain and Acting Assistant Chief, where he was responsible for over 500 officers. During his tenure with HPD, James was the training supervisor in Hartford for over 10 years. In the academy, he taught laws of arrest, firearms, constitutional law, search and seizure, fitness, and report writing. Additionally, he was the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) and Bomb squad Commander for over 10 years. After 25 years of service, he retired from HPD and became the Chief of Security of the Hartford Public School system, consisting of 40 schools and over 25,000 students. James was a leader in community policing and loved working with young people. He spent many years training with youth programs such as PAL, Police Explorers, Dare and GREAT(Gang Resistance Education and Training). In 2002, he became Police Chief of Trumbull, CT, commanding a force of 75 police officers. After a tenure of over two years, he left Trumbull in 2004 to become Chief in Manchester, CT, a force of 125 officers. He is credited as the first Black Police Chief in Trumbull and Manchester, CT. Under his leadership in Manchester, the police department's success in reducing crime was featured in CNN Money Magazine as one of the safest cities in America by victimization rate. After more than five years in Manchester, he became the Police Chief in Paducah, Kentucky in 2009. While there, James started innovative programs such as police officers training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu and verbal judo. He also started a youth Police Academy and a summer youth program with police officers and youth, ages 12 – 18. After resigning from Paducah in 2013, he shifted gears by working in higher education as head of security for Kentucky State University, Wilberforce University in Ohio, and Queens University in North Carolina.  In his lifetime, James earned over 50 awards and commendations for his exceptional public service. Most notable is his commendation from the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) for an international operation that targeted drug gangs from the US, Jamaica, and other countries. He also received awards from the US District Attorney's Office of Connecticut, the General Assembly of Connecticut, and the Governor of Connecticut. He was especially proud when he received an award from Pope John Paul II and felt honored to serve as security detail for prominent key figures and celebrities, including former President Bill Clinton, Prince, and Janet Jackson. His list of memberships was extensive, including being a lifetime member of the FBI-LEEDA; a graduate of the Secret Service Class 206-10 Dignitary Protection; member of the (International Counter-Terrorism Officers Association (ICTOA); and a member of NECEI, which was an organization consisting of police officers, community members, the US Department of Education, the US Department of Labor, and the Department of Justice—providing training for safe schools and cities. There was, however, more to James than working in law enforcement—much more. To his family and friends, he was known as Dad, Grandad, James, Junior, and Jimmy. James was a family man who loved spending time at family gatherings. A foodie before the word became popular today, he loved seafood and couldn't resist sweets. His kids remember many trips to Dairy Queen, with strawberry shortcake being his favorite. For most of his life, James was fit and active. He was a talented athlete who loved to play and watch football, basketball, and track and field, and even abandoned retirement (again) to work at ESPN in Ballantyne, NC. His love of movement and competition easily transferred to the dance floor and roller skating. Whether competing in dance competitions or dancing effortlessly while roller skating backwards, James loved being in motion. On the mat, he trained in both karate and jiu-jitsu and loved attending martial arts classes to watch one of his grandsons, Jacobi.  He was a multi-dimensional man who was respected for his character and integrity. His loss will be felt by many, but his legacy will live on through all of the lives he has impacted. In addition to his parents, James was predeceased by siblings Mattie Streets, Ronald Berry and Telia Berry.  He is survived by his wife, Lisa Campbell-Berry; four children, Ronald Berry (Sonia), son of James Berry and Janace Golphin; Anthony Berry (Armando), Angela Berry, and Antwuan Berry, children of James Berry and Frances K. Berry; three bonus children of Lisa Berry, Tylonn Harold, Latoya Harold, and Leland Wilson; nine grandchildren: Ronald J. Berry, Jr., Makiydah Berry, Julian Martin, Jacobi Martin, Zaire Tullis, Malachi Hampton, Tylonn Harold, Jr, Emory Harold, and Laiyah Harold;  brothers, Robert Berry (Mary), Waddell Berry (Mary), Michael Berry, Donald Berry (Devoria); sisters, Barbara Pegues, Carrie Corley, and Marion Morant (Harold); a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends.