06/20/2025
Wednesday morning at 12:50 Central Time, Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) officers responded to a call on Dale Hollow Lake to a report of a man overboard, around Sewell Bend, near the First Island area.
Chris was on a camping and fishing trip with friends and took their bass boat out fishing during the night. He was reported to have stumbled and fallen into the water. TWRA officers recovered his body around 8:30 Wednesday morning and later taken to the Nashville Medical Examiner’s Office.
“We are crushed by this tragedy,” said Okolona Fire Protection District, Chief Mark Little. “To our cherished friends, family, and the Emergency Responders Committee, words cannot adequately express the depth of our gratitude for the outpouring of sympathy and support you have shown to both the Berry and Okolona Fire families during this incredibly difficult time.”
Captain Berry was 35 years-old and a 9-year veteran of the Okolona Fire Protection District, joining OFPD in 2016. He started his fire service career in 2011 as a volunteer firefighter with the Pleasure Ridge Park Fire Protection District. He became a career firefighter with McMahan Fire Protection District in 2013.
Chris was loved by his first responder family, a respected leader and dedicated public servant, who loved serving the Okolona community. He was a member of several specialized rescue teams – Haz-Mat Technician, Swift Water Rescue, Confined Space Rescue, Rope Rescue.
His service was recognized multiple times, having received the Department’s Fire Life Saver Award in 2018, and twice receiving the Unit Citation (2018 & 2023) for his outstanding service.
Chris leaves behind a wife of 6 years, his biological parents, a stepfather, a sister, a mother and father-in-law and an extensive Fire & EMS family.
Some members of the department will travel to Nashville on Friday morning to bring Chris’ body home with an expected return of mid-to-late afternoon, with a brief procession passing by Okolona Fire Station 2 located at 10508 Preston Highway.
Funeral arrangements will be published on the department's website and page as soon as they are finalized.
