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After Surviving War, Berry Finds Purpose as CHISD Security Officer

For about 15 years, Shawn Berry often wondered how and why he survived a 2005 vehicle explosion in Baghdad, Iraq.

“Three or four years ago, I got back to living my life,” said Berry, who lives in Cedar Hill. 

Berry said it was the love of his family, including children and grandchildren, that helped inspire him to begin living his life again.

The medically retired Army Combat Medic still remembers the day – October 14, 2005.

“It was in the wee hours of morning,” Berry said.  “A vehicle exploded ahead of our convoy and everyone slammed on their breaks. Three of my friends passed away.”

Berry, the lone survivor of the attack, recovered in the hospital from the day of the attack through April 2007.

Like many Americans, Berry, 54, was horrified to watch the tragic events of Uvalde on May 24, 2022. The bloodshed and the inaction of law enforcement that day.

Unlike many of his fellow citizens, Berry acted. He applied for a position as a security officer in Cedar Hill ISD and currently is stationed at Collegiate Academy & High School/Dr. Peggy M. Wilson STEM Center.

“I know where I’m supposed to be,” Berry said. “I’m doing what I’ve always done, which is helping people.

The injury in Iraq prevented Berry from resuming his career as a Baltimore City Firefighter. He moved to Dallas in 2008.

Berry was born in Chicago and grew up there and in Los Angeles. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Army and served in Operation Desert Storm in 1991. He was motivated by the success of an uncle, a doctor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore who had served in the United States Marines Corps.

“I knew I had to work and accomplish what I wanted to be,” Berry said. “I enjoyed being a medic. It opened up an avenue to become a firefighter. I loved Baltimore because it made me the man I am. It gave me a way of taking care of my family.”

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, Berry and his fellow Baltimore firefighters traveled to New York City to cover for FDNY firefighters who were attending funerals of their fallen firefighters.

“Firefighters from all over the United States went there to help,” Berry said.