Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Patrolman Murrin,
On today, the 40th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

BPA Mike Casey
United States Border Patrol(Retired)

September 12, 2024

Patrolman Murrin's story is very sad and extremely unfortunate. He showed true bravery in his last moments and he made an amazing sacrifice.

Hannah
Criminal Justice student

October 26, 2023

Rest in peace Patrolman Murrin.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

November 29, 2021

Thank you for your service and rest in peace always knowing that your sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 12, 2020

Rest in peace brother. You will never be forgotten!

Detective Sergeant Jeremy Sims
Matteson, IL PD

October 9, 2019

I became Marty's neighbor a few years before his tragic and senseless murder. I'll never forget when his young children Erin and Norman brought me cookies the day I moved in. The Murrin family was very kind and generous, losing Marty at the age of 32 a terrible memory that will never go away.

God bless Marty and his family.

Joliet neighbor

October 24, 2017

Thanks for your service Officer Murrin #215.

Thoughts out to you and your family.

I honor your memory as I work Sector 11 on the anniversary of your passing.

Off. Pete Van Gessel #114
Joliet Police Department

September 12, 2017

One of the great honors of my life was to broadcast a special memorial for Marty on the day before his funeral. I was the Executive Manager of 1560 WJRC a news station in Joliet. We took it very hard, losing a great cop and husband and father like Marty in Joliet. I decided that doing a special on his life and legacy was the right thing to do. We ended the show with the song I felt his dear wife would want to play for him, Wind Beneath My Wings - by Bette Midler. When I got off the air, there was not a dry eye in the house...including mine.
To Marty's wife and family, please know for men who die faithful, like Marty, there is no safer place than in God's memory.

Peace and Strength!

THOMAS SIMON AVILA
Former Morning Host
CNN Joliet NewsTalK Radio, 1560 AM

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NEWSMAN

April 28, 2017

Officer Murrin's story was read in Richton Park Police Department's roll call on 2-10-17 to honor him.

Sgt. James Galvan
RPPD (IL)

February 10, 2017

Thinking about Marty during this police week. Being from Aurora PD we knew him well, played softball many days with him - we loved Marty - he was a good man and good cop! I remember the day he was taken from us well and the sadness and shock experienced by my dept. He remains in our thoughts to this day!

Cmdr (RET) Michael Nila
Aurora IL Police Department

May 13, 2016

I often think of Marty, as well as his Family. Never to be forgotten. God bless them.

Harold S. Junker
Lansing, Il Classmate

September 13, 2015

Marty was a great friend of mine. I was a Joliet Police Officer with him, I was on midnights at the time when Marty was killed so I was not on shift when he died but this is a day I will never forget. Our lives all changed on this day, it was so surreal and hard for me to be a pallbearer at Marty's funeral but I was so honored. I never in a million years thought we would have to see the unjust verdict that was given to Manual Salazar. I think of Marty and his family all of the time and will never forget all that he sacrificed. 

Rick Goepper- retired
Joliet Police Dept

September 12, 2015

Marty was a very good friend of mine. I worked mid nights and was not there when Marty was shot. Marty was one of the finest family men, police officers, and just good person in general I ever had the privilege to know. We worked very hard the next 5 days or so trying to catch his killer. Numerous officers worked their regular shift then went out with the detail to search for Salazar. Sleepless nights was the norm for many of us. One of the hardest things I ever had to do in my life was to carry Marty's casket, but at the same time very honored. We love you Marty.

Richard Goepper, patrol officer
Joliet pd

September 12, 2015

I am the son of a retired JPD officer who served with Officer Murrin. I recall being told about the killing on the day it happened, and my fathers involvement in the investigation.
It was the first time I recall understanding that some day my father may not come home from work. I remember waiting up for him to get home from his 3-11 shifts just to make sure he was alright.
To the family, friends and brothers of Officer Murrin I say thank you for your sacrifice and may all LEO's everywhere be safe today!

T. A. Horvath

March 4, 2015

I was doing an internship at JPD and marty was the man i hoped to become, a true insperation and a great friend and top notch police officer, I changed my course after his death and often think of him today.He truly touched many lives.what a blessing to have known him.

Tim Quoss

December 2, 2014

I remember backyard BBQs with you, "Mongo," "Frog," and "Petey" when I was a kid -- especially that one 4th of July.... Man, how I idolized you guys! I still do, and always will.

I'm sorry that you never got to meet my youngest brother, Jacob Martin Pedersen, who was born 6 weeks after the end of your watch, and is named in your honor. The Pedersen family will never forget you, your dedication, service, or sacrifice.

Rest easy, Marty.

Brian Pedersen
son of Lt. Robert L. Pedersen Sr. (ret.), J.P.D.

September 29, 2014

I was only six when you were taken away from us and unfortunately my memories of you are faint. While I can't remember all the good times, the tragedy of that evening and the events in the days that followed are burned indefinitely into my mind. Thinking of you today and always.

Kathleen Murrin Tillman
Niece

September 13, 2014

30 years today...I just started working at JPD in dispatch in May of 1984. I met you, but didn't know you. My loss. Your fellow officers and friends have kept your memory alive. Rest in Peace #215 you are not forgotten.

821
Joliet 9-1-1 Center

September 12, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 29th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

May 9, 2013

Rest in Peace, Patrolman Murrin. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

November 21, 2012

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