Lieutenant Gerald was shot and killed when he stopped for what he believed was a traffic accident in a parking lot along US Route 701 at approximately 1830 hours. He was returning home after his shift at the J. Reuben Long Detention Center, still wearing his uniform, in his personal car when he observed a man and woman arguing. As he attempted to find out what was wrong the male opened fire, fatally wounding him. The suspect then attempted to kill the woman, who was the man's girlfriend, as the two fled in separate cars. The suspect was apprehended approximately 24 hours later after a massive manhunt.

Lieutenant Gerald had been with the agency for 13 years and is survived by his wife and two daughters.

Randy Gene Gerald's name has been engraved at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC. His name can be located on panel 22, E-7.