Officer Down Memorial Page

Marty, I am still hurt you were murder and the man who did it only served 12 years. I was on duty when you were killed. I was one of the uniform officers who went with the chief, police chaplain, a sgt and me to tell your family of your death. I saw the news crush your wife and children. I also was one of the officers in a squad on guard outside your house, stopping the news reporters from bothering your family after the murder. One of your family came out and asked if I need anything, they gave me a soda.
In the pain of your death they thought of others. You were one of my evidence trainers. I rode with you on patrol, I have never forgot the song
Amazing grace on bagpipes at your wake and your kids standing there crying. Godspeed Marty. You were the best your smile and friendship made all of us very proud to be your friend.
Del Gandy

Officer
Joliet
April 3, 2012

Marty

We went to high school together and I always admired the type of person you were. I never knew that you had an interest in law enforcement and it wasn't until a class reunion that I found out about your death.
Rest in peace my friend.

Detective Jim Wollack
Westminster Colorado Police Dept.
September 19, 2011

I would also like to send a thank-you to Fred Hayes for the wonderful ceremony that he put together for my dad. It is always nice to be reminded that he was so special to so many others. All of the people that were there were extremely special to my dad too. Thanks Fred for all of the work and effort you put in to making the 25th anniversary so special. It meant a great deal to my family.

Erin Murrin Montesano
Daughter of Martin Murrin
August 17, 2011

Marty,
Thinking of you on the anniversary of your death. Even after all this time, it's hard to believe you were taken from us in such a horrible way. All that knew you still believe it was a travesty of justice and that your murderer will pay in full when he meets his maker.

We miss you

"JR"

Robert J. Mau, Sr., Sgt.-Retired
PD Joleit Illinois
September 12, 2010

I'd like to offer a special thank-you to Chief Fred Hayes and members of the Joliet Police Department for the ceremony commemorating 25 years on 09/19/09. The kind words offered by Chief Hayes and the retired officers were a true testament of who Marty was to all of us.

Thank you again J.P.D. for never forgetting.

Chief Dennis Murrin Jr.
Lansing P.D. / Nephew
September 22, 2009

Twenty five years ago today our city lost a wonderful man. God bless you and your family.

Anonymous
September 12, 2009

I was working that 3x11 shift as a Lansing Police Officer twenty five years ago. I heard several ISPERN dispatches that said a Joliet officer had been shot and killed. Later in the shift I was on station and a dispatcher told me he was on hold with a JPD Captain. Then suddenly he told the JPD Captain that Marty’s brother, Det. Dennis Murrin was off, but he would contact him. I remember it was like somebody hit me with a baseball bat when I realized that Marty was the Joliet Officer that had been murdered. The events of that night had a profound impact on many people including myself. Rest in peace Marty.

Deputy Chief Paul Warn (Ret.)
Lansing P.D.
September 9, 2009

I did not know you, sir, but I have friends from Joliet, so I feel a connection. Thank you for your service and sacrifice to protect my loved ones.

Angel in Alabama
April 28, 2008

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC
October 18, 2007

Marty, my heart was broken that day when I saw you on the ground on the 'Hill". Your loss was a personal one for me and all the rest of the JPD. To have lost one of our best officers while he was doing his duty as he loved to simply tore our hearts out. You are remembered well by your fellow JPD officers. You were a fine officer and respedted by everyone. Rest in peace Marty. I will never forget you.

Retired Patrolman Jack L. Loy #169
Joliet Police Dept.
March 5, 2007

Thank you Patrolman Murrin for your dedicated service. God will be the ultimate judge and jury in this case. You Sir, are a true hero. Rest in peace.

A citizen
February 13, 2007

Some system we have, when a cop killer is set free. R.I.P. sir and thank you for your service. God WILL have the final say in this matter.

Deputy
El Paso
September 12, 2006

Sleep safe and know that as men we may hand out justice but but it will be Our Lord that will see that this is dealt with...for Him there are no 'technicalities'

September 12, 2006

What a wonderful tribute to have a full page of reflections even after 20+ years. That says a lot about the cop you were, but more about the man you were.

God Bless you Sir

August 20, 2006

Officer Marty Murrin,
Though we never met, I learned a lot about you from all the gray beards on the Department. I was proud and honored the day I met your wife while riding with Bobby Kerwin. From what I hear, you died while doing what you loved, chasin' bad guys on the "Hill". Thank you for leaving a legacy at our Department in the short time you were with us. You will never be forgotten. God bless you.

Officer Pete Van Gessel #114
Joliet Police Department
April 1, 2006

Marty,
You were taken from us long before my time at JPD (I was only 7 years old) but I've become friends with some of the guys who knew you best, and I can't help but think that we would have become friends too. It's heartbreaking to hear them talk about losing you, but I love hearing the stories about the things you guys used to do in the "old days".

Rest In Peace #215. I know that you are not, and never will be, forgotten.

Patrol Officer
Joliet PD
December 11, 2005

Officer Murrin,
On today, the 21st anniversary of your murder, I would like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Joliet. I agree with the people who left the previous reflections-it's definitely a travesty of justice that the scum that murdered only had to serve 12 years for manslaughter on a legal technicality.

R.I.P.
Anonymous

September 12, 2005

Marty you were the best. Your picture still hangs in my office. I'll always remember the great softball tournament you played in Aurora a few weeks prior to your death. I often reflect on the good times we had at your house. I have my own beanbag game and I always think of you when I use it.

I'll never forget you.

John Perkins - Deputy Chief of Police
Aurora Police Department
February 16, 2005

I remember going to your funeral when I was about five years old. It always has, and always will have a lasting impression on me. I didn't really understand it then, what was going on and how tragic and final it was. I just remember all the police officers in their "dressed up" uniforms and crying. My Dad was a co-worker and a friend of yours, and still mentions you or a story about you to this day. I know that you are in a better place now. And now some twenty years later, I fully understand how tragic and final that day was.

Joliet Citizen
October 12, 2004

Talk about a travisty of justice..... A cop deserves better.

September 29, 2004

I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

A hero never dies.....

Rest in peace, hero. God bless.

September 29, 2004

Marty, you are not forgotten. We held all air traffic for your moment of silence tonight and a prayer delivered by Father Chris. Rest in peace.

Dispatcher
Joliet PD
September 12, 2004

The person that took your life may have only got a 12 year sentence here on Earth, but rest assured, he will get an eternal sentence once he is called.
Thank you Officer Murrin for your service, dedication and courage. You are a Hero.

Detective T. Henshaw
Bell Gardens Police Dept., CA.
September 7, 2004

rest in peace ofc murrin

skip roberson
August 19, 2004

We played softball many times on our police dept. teams; we laughed, competed, shared war stories and lived the brotherhood that makes our profession so special! It's been a long time, but I have never forgotten how you lived!

Cmdr. Michael J. Nila (Ret.)
Aurora ILL Police Dept.
May 12, 2004