Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Down these mean streets a man must go who is not himself mean, who is neither tarnished nor afraid. He is the hero; he is everything. He must be a complete man and a common man and yet an unusual man. He must be, to use a rather weathered phrase, a man of honor by instinct, by inevitability, without thought of it, and certainly without saying it. He must be the best man in his world and a good enough man for any world.

Chief McCormack, thank you for your service. God Bless and Rest in Peace.

Tim Gilpin
SMSgt, USAF (Ret)
USAF Security Police
Superintendent

November 27, 2021

I, Margaret McCormack, am the Granddaughter of Police Chief William Houston McCormack.
I never knew my Grandfather because the vengeful maniac who killed him took his life when my Father was only 10 months old.
Before my Father, Aunts and Uncles (his children) passed away they researched our family history extensively. Despite finding many documents etc of our family, when it came to my Grandfather, William Houston McCormack, there was hardly any documentation of him or his murder (nothing acknowledging him for selflessly giving his life in order to save innocent people). Now that we live in the age of the internet I have found out so much more about him.
When I came across ODMP I knew I needed to submit a request for him to be included in it. It was a bittersweet moment when I found his name included in the memorial. I wish my Grandmother, Father, Aunts and Uncles were here to see that her husband/their Father finally got some justice/recognition for the ultimate sacrifice he made to protect innocent civilians.
I would like to take this opportunity to remind others that not only do Police Officers take on this job knowing that they can be injured or worse, at anytime but their families also take on the same risk. We must never lose sight of the fact that Police Officers risk their lives everyday to keep us safe. We should all be grateful for them and their families.
I want to thank ODMP for creating this website to not only pay homage to my Grandfather but to the many other Police Officers and their families that have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect others.
- Bravery is not the absence of fear but action in the face of fear

Margaret McCormack (Granddaughter)

November 12, 2021

“Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9

Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service

November 5, 2021