The City of OKC sends this information as posted below:
Oklahoma City’s first Black police chief and former Assistant City Manager, M.T. Berry, passed away from a lengthy battle with brain cancer on July 17. He was 75.
Berry began his career with the City of Oklahoma City on Sept. 1, 1970, as a community service officer in the Oklahoma City Police Department. One year later, he was sworn in as a police officer. Throughout his career, he served in several areas of the OKCPD, including the jail, records office, public information office and the patrol division.
Berry’s work ethic, professionalism and integrity quickly distinguished him as an invaluable member of the department and on March 3, 1998, Berry was appointed Oklahoma City’s 47th Police Chief. He served in that role for five years.
As Police Chief, Berry oversaw the planning, organizing and direction of all police services for the City. He led nearly 1,300 employees and managed a budget of $119.6 million.
Through nearly five decades of service, he led with quiet strength and a profound sense of purpose, leaving a legacy that continues to make our city stronger and all of us better.
Former City Manager Jim Couch appointed M.T. Berry as Assistant City Manager in 2003, and Berry went on to serve in that role for more than 15 years, overseeing the City’s public safety operations, as well as Information Technology and General Services, until his retirement in 2019.
As Police Chief, Berry served as a member and later president of the Oklahoma Chapter of the FBI National Academy Associates. He also served on the Boards of Directors for the Last Frontier Council of the Boy Scouts of America and the American Red Cross of Central Oklahoma.
His leadership extended into numerous community and professional organizations, including service on the Leadership Oklahoma City Advisory Board, the YMCA Achievers Steering Committee, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Major Cities Chiefs Association, the National Executive Institute Alumni Association and the National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives. He also previously served on the Boards of Directors for the Metro Alliance for Safer Cities and the Mental Health Association Oklahoma.
Berry earned an Associate of Science degree in police science from Oklahoma State University and a Bachelor of Science degree in criminal justice from Central State University. He also graduated from several prestigious programs, including the FBI National Academy, the Senior Management Institute for Police, the National Executive Institute and the National Emergency Management Institute.
Berry grew up in Oklahoma City’s Creston Hills neighborhood and attended Douglass High School. Outside of work, he enjoyed spending time with family, traveling the world and playing bass guitar, a favorite lifelong pastime.
He is survived by his wife, Dianna, the City’s former Human Resource Director; his children, Major III, Michelle, Myrissa, Timothy and their spouses and seven grandchildren.
Quote from Mayor David Holt
“M.T. Berry was a legendary public servant in Oklahoma City, and his 49 years as a city employee attest to that,” Mayor David Holt said. “But M.T.’s legacy is much more than just longevity. He was a trailblazer in the police department, he established an ethos there of community engagement that is still present today, and he was a model of integrity. M.T. taught thousands of city employees how to serve, either directly or through the example he set. As a young chief of staff to the mayor in my 20s, I got to work with M.T. for five years during his time as Assistant City Manager, and that period was highly influential on me. M.T. was always someone I didn’t want to disappoint. M.T. was universally beloved and respected. That’s why I turned to him to lead our city’s law enforcement reform efforts in 2020, and once again, his work set the standard. Our city’s renaissance these past three decades is built upon a foundation of effective public service at the municipal level, and it wouldn’t have been the same outcome without M.T. Berry. On behalf of the people of Oklahoma City, I send my deepest condolences to M.T.’s wife Dianna and his entire family.”
Quote from City Manager Craig Freeman
“M.T. Berry was a rare leader whose intelligence, honesty and steady composure made everyone around him better,” City Manager Craig Freeman said. “He set the standard as a trailblazer who led with both firmness and empathy, earning the respect and admiration of everyone who had the privilege to work alongside him.”
Quote from Police Chief Ron Bacy
“Chief Berry was more than a respected law enforcement leader—he was also a mentor who was instrumental throughout my career,” Police Chief Ron Bacy said. “His leadership was not only defined by integrity and humility, but also by honor, compassion, and dedication to serving others. I greatly benefited from his inspiration, as did many others. We have lost an extraordinary chief, but more importantly, we have lost an extraordinary man. Although we shall miss him, the legacy he leaves behind will live on through the many he positively impacted throughout the years.”
Quote from former City Manager Jim Couch
“Chief Berry was a fabulous friend and public servant,” former City Manager Jim Couch said. “His perspective, integrity and calmness were a true blessing to me. I listened to him a lot, and in retrospect, I should have listened to him more. Oklahoma City is a better place because of M.T. Berry.”
Free Press curates press releases from organizations and people we know to be reputable. If you would like to submit a well-written press release for us to publish on our site, please click the email icon at the top of this page.
