Obituary
Timothy Alan Berry, age 76, died March 2, 2020
Tim was born October 17, 1944, in Orlando, Florida to Ralph and Evelyn Berry. A graduate of Boone High School, Tim has spent most of his life in Orlando.
He bravely served as a combat medic during the Vietnam War with the 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry, assigned to the 1st Infantry Division (better known as “The Big Red 1”), where he earned several medals including the Bronze Star, a Vietnamese Gallantry Cross, and the Combat Medical Badge.
Upon leaving the Army, he spent a brief time as a paramedic before becoming an Orange County Deputy in 1971. He attended school at Rollins College and South Texas College of Law, and in 1983 was appointed to the position of Assistant State Attorney. As a State Attorney, Tim taught constitutional law to hundreds of police recruits and provided on-scene assistance at traffic homicides for smaller police agencies. He retired in 1996 to open his private practice, specializing in criminal defense work.
Tim is best known for his sense of humor, particularly for his entertaining presentations to police recruits (apologies to anyone that had to endure the Twisted Pretzel Hold story). He is most famous for the first successful use of DNA evidence in a 1987 criminal prosecution, culminating in a guilty verdict, appearances on several TV shows and interviews by numerous law enforcement and scientific publications.
He never met a dog he didn’t like, and homeless cats had a special place in his heart.
He is survived by his sons, Michael (Melina) and Keegan (Natalie), his brother Douglas, and a new granddaughter, Lily Berry.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Vietnam Veterans of America. Many veterans don’t have access to the health care services they need, making it difficult to seek proper treatment. You can help veterans obtain the services they need by making a monetary donation or by donating your used clothes, furniture and other household items. https://vva.org/donate/
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Always Remembered Fondly