Profile

Born:  March 13, 2001

LODD:  August 13, 2024

Burial:  Ellendale Cemetery, Ellendale, Delaware

Fire Companies:  Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company, & Georgetown Fire Company

On Tuesday August 13, 2024, Firefighter / EMT Thomas W. Berry, III had just completed a field assignment for Sussex County EMS, when he stopped along Sussex Route 9 about 2 miles east of Georgetown to assist a motorist who had crashed into an electric pole.  As Berry was helping to stabilize the driver, he was fatally injured by the falling pole and electrical wires.

Berry was described as a "young public servant with a promising career," who had worked as a logistics technician for Sussex County’s Emergency Medical Services since 2022, in addition to volunteering at Georgetown and Ellendale Fire Companies.  Training and his response as a volunteer firefighter no doubt served Mr. Berry as he moved into action after coming across the crash on his way back to county offices following a field assignment earlier in the day.

Michael Vincent, President of the Sussex County Council and a lifelong member of the Seaford Fire Company, said the county was "beyond heartbroken" by Berry's death, adding that Thomas "exemplified public service until his last moments on this earth."  Shortly after sunset on Tuesday evening, a processional of public safety personnel and emergency services vehicles lined the streets of Georgetown as the body of Thomas Berry, III was transferred to the medical examiner’s office.   

Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company President Kyle Perry said, “Thomas was a generational firefighter.  On record, he was an eight-year member, but Thomas grew up in Ellendale and we've known him his entire life.  He was always eager to learn, never too proud to ask for more information or a better way of doing things.  Berry was named Ellendale Firefighter of the Year in 2022, but refused to show up to the ceremony to accept the award because he didn't like being the center of attention.”  Thomas Berry, III was part of a long line of firefighters and EMTs, with relatives as far back as his great-grandfather serving the Ellendale Fire Company.  President Perry said “He left his mark and the story of the Ellendale Volunteer Fire Company cannot be told without him."

Those who spoke at the funeral told of Berry's passion and commitment to firefighting.  Berry's EMS supervisor, Bobby Schoonover, said he encouraged Berry to expand his skills and that he hoped to become a 911 dispatcher.  "He cared about all that he came in contact with, to the point he would do just about anything for anyone”.  Another firefighter read a letter from Berry's sister, Madison. The siblings were just 14 months apart and best friends, she wrote.  Berry had shared with her he wanted to run for fire captain in Georgetown.

Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company Chief Mark Rogers said he encouraged Berry to run for captain and told him he could be chief one day.  "He was someone we could count on not only for the big, exciting alarms, but for those boring 3 a.m. alarms, too," Chief Rogers said.

On Thursday August 22^nd, a line of over 1,000 mourners stretched around the building to get into the Crossroad Community Church near Georgetown to pay their respects.  After the service, over 100 fire trucks and first responder vehicles followed in the funeral procession through Georgetown. 

Thomas W. Berry, III graduated from Milford High School in 2019 and was employed by Sussex County Paramedics as a Logistics Technician.  He was known for being hard working with a remarkable work ethic, fun loving, humble and committed to his passion for the fire service.  He enjoyed modifying pickup trucks, but his greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family. 

Thomas was preceded in death by his grandfather, Thomas W. Berry, Sr.  He is survived by his parents, Jayme (Argo) Romo and Thomas W. Berry, II (Heather), sister Madison Berry, maternal grandparents John & Connie (Wright) Argo, Jr. Paternal grandmother Mercedes Kramer (Bob), great-grandfather, John Argo, Sr., and great-great grandmother Barbara Wright.   

The funeral service for Thomas Wilson Berry, III, aged 23, was held Thursday August 22, 2024 in the sanctuary of the Crossroad Community Church in Georgetown.  Thomas was laid to rest with Firefighter Honors in the Ellendale Cemetery, Ellendale, Delaware.