July 18, 2010 Family of murdered security officer denied closure www.privateofficer.com
Cincinnati OH July 18 2010
By: Rick McCann/CEO
PRIVATE OFFICER INTERNATIONAL
www.privateofficer.com
An Ohio family today still has no justice in the killing of their loved one who was gunned down in 1999 while working as a security officer.
It all started at a New Year’s Eve party in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Oasis bar and grill, a popular local club was filling up fast as the celebration of another New Years was fast approaching.
Police say that as the night wore on, a fight broke out and bar security officers began pushing people toward the front of the bar and out the doors to de-escalate the situation.
That’s when one of the brawlers returned within moments with a gun and began shooting into the business.
Jerry Gilbert, one of the nightclub security officers was found laying on the ground with a bullet wound. A fellow security officer started first aid but Gilbert died on the scene from his wounds.
Investigators were able to identify a suspect in the murder and named Cyril L Byrd as their prime suspect and with the assistance of the FBI, the U.S. Marshals office and Americas Most Wanted television program, officers across the country began their manhunt.
Somehow Byrd had managed to avoid capture and stay one step ahead of law enforcement for almost nine years until an AMW tipster lead authorities to Arizona.
Arizona authorities were familiar with Byrd because they had arrested him in 2005, but Byrd allegedly used an alias and posted bond before cops realized he was wanted for an Ohio murder.
So, when an anonymous tipster called the Phoenix field office of the FBI, they knew just who the tipster was talking about, and they were not taking any chances with the man they say was a violent fugitive.
At around 3 p.m. on Monday, September 17, 2007, members of the FBI’s Violent Crimes Fugitive Task Force went to the address and they were able to take Byrd into custody without any resistance and he admitted to officers who he was. Investigators found a weapon and cash inside the home, but thankfully no one was hurt during the arrest.
With the fugitive in custody they extradited him back to the State of Ohio so that justice could be served and the family of security officer Gilbert could at last find closure.
But closure would be denied by Hamilton County judge who said that there was not enough evidence to proceed with murder charges against Bryd and on Nov. 18, 2008, he was acquitted of the charges against him and set free.
Authorities in Cincinnati still say that they beleive that they had the right man in custody for the murder but the case is now in the hands of the Cold Case Squad who may be able to turn up new leads as they start the investigation process all over again.
In the meantime, Gilbert’s family now wonders if they’ll ever see justice or have the true peace that can only come with the arrest and conviction of the man who killed their loved one.
Contributors to this story: Brian Hollstegge, AMW
Tags: Jerry Gilbert, private officer, privateofficer.com, rick mccann
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