xxxxOn November 5, 2005, we lost a very brave and courageous man. Jack's passion in life was his job as a Marysville Police Officer. But, he was known as more than just Officer Murray. He was son Jack, brother Jack, nephew Jack, cousin Jack and friend Jack. In his much too short time of 33 years, Jack touched the hearts and lives of many people.
xxxxI had the honor of knowing Jack through my association with his mother, Kay Murray and his aunt, Micki Butch. Kay and Micki have welcomed me into the inner circle of their fabulous family. You won't find a more close knit family than that of the Murray/Stolikers. Over the years I have come to know and love all of them. Jack was the baby of Kay's brewd of four boys (John, Kurt, Eric, Jack) and one girl (Beth).
xxxxOne of the things that stuck in my mind about Jack was his passion for his job. He was so proud to be a police officer. Anytime I saw him in his uniform, he was like a peacock. The first time I met him, he came into Charlie's Hair Designs and was close to graduation. He was just so excited about the prospects of a job with the St. Clair County Sheriffs Department. It wasn't long after that I got to see Jack in an unforgettable rookie moment. Jack and his sheriff partner were riding by the salon one day with Jack behind the wheel. As they passed the window of the salon, both were waving in the window to mother Kay as the car was moving forward, soon to bump into the car in front of them. Oh man! Kay and I felt terrible for the poor kid, but at the same time, we just laughed so hard we cried. The poor kid had to get out and face the young driver with his head as red as a tomato. What a moment, the rookie waving to mom.
xxxxJack had a heart of gold too. There was a time I was cutting his hair and he told me he had pulled over my daughter for speeding and didn't know it was my daughter. Well, he said when he got to the window to ask for her license and registration the poor kid was just bawling her eyes out. After he got her information he said she had a couple things going for her, one being she was my daughter and the other that she had a sticker on her car that she was a nurse, like his cousin Brooke. He let her go with a warning, but said he felt so bad cause she was scared to death. I thanked him for his compassion but told him that she pulls that sensitive stuff on everybody.
xxxxAnyhow, I think you are getting my point here that Jack was just plain and simply one of the "good guys". The last time I saw Jack in his patrol car was in the morning in the post office parking lot sometime near the end of the last school year. He was keeping his eye on the kids and told me that he had just gotten engaged. He couldn't have been happier and when I think about him in the future, that is the image I will have imprinted in my head.
xxxx Take care Jack, I am proud and honored that you crossed my path in life and have no doubt that you will be watching over all of us from above. TCB, brother!