Sheriff Ben P. Murray Dimmit County Sheriff's Department Texas Sunday, January 6, 1991  Leave a Reflection  Return to Memorial  Print This Page  Continue Building Book  Page: 1 of 1

i had the honor of working for the late sheriff he was one of a kind.He will forever remain in our hearts

corina munoz
ex dispatcher
2009-06-11

Ben "Doc" Murray was one of the best men I ever knew, and for sure the best Officer ever known..

Alycia Vasquez
Friend
2008-05-08

"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
2008-02-06

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR LONG AND DEDICATED SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH
2008-01-01

I knew Doc since I was a child growing up in Carrizo Springs. I heard of this tragic event and was very shocked. Carrizo used to be like "mayberry" and Doc was just like Andy. He was the man who never needed his side arm and handled most incidents with a stearn voice and a few words of advice. This world has lost a good man whose shoes n other man will be abe to fill. Thanks to the Texas Rangers and the DPS Crime Lab for bringing justice those involved.

Investigator Gabriel R. Gauna
Travis County Medical Examiner
2007-08-13

I knew Sheriff " Doc" Murray ever since I was a young child. To me, he was the greatest law enforcement hero I had ever met. I still talk about him to cops I know and speak of him to my new fresh cadets wanting to start law enforcement. I will always remember Sheriff Murray as a happy individual who would always have a smile for me as a child. I do miss him and know that he is now with the LORD in peace. Goodbye "Doc".

Instructor Hector Ruiz
LRGVDC Regional Police Academy
2007-07-17

I am sorry you were taken from this earth. You seemed like a great American. I know you are in good hands with God. Its a shame the suspect could not be put down just because he was a dummy.

Andrew McGahey
Former Police Officer
2006-11-08

A true Texas Lawman who was as honest as they come. He was an example to many who joined law enforcement.

E. Fiscal
FBOP
2005-07-25

On the anniversary of your death, I salute you for your service and honor you for your sacrifice.

May God grant you eternal peace and bring comfort to your loved ones.

2005-01-06

Doc was one of the last old time sheriffs , the man treated people the way people needed to be treated, it was a great loss for the county of dimmit to loose such a man , they have tried to replace him , but his honesty is a hard virtue to come by these days

constable H F Thompson
Zavala County

to some, sheriff murray was a man of peace and dignity. to others, he was a threat. he was the first person in my life that i recognized a law enforcement person. i vividly remember sheriff murray patrolling the streets of my hometown. always waving and stopping to say hello. quick to lend a hand and give advise. i remember the day i recieved the phone call from my parents advising me of the terrible news. without knowing the details of the crime, i already had an idea of who had commited his murder. i believe there are not enough words to describe such a great man as sheriff ben "doc" murray.

hector ruiz collision investigator
kingsville police department