Sergeant Dulan “Earl” Murray, RIP

At 3:13AM this morning, while most of our were sound asleep, Nags Head Police Sergeant "Earl" Murray was responding to a burglary call. In short, he was doing what all police officers do 24 hours a day; serve and protect. On his way to the call, his vehicle hydroplaned on Hwy. 158 right in front of Villa Dunes Drive, crashing into one of the large, concrete utility poles on the east side of the road. He died as a result of that accident.

Sgt. Murray had been a police officer for 26 years, and left behind a wife and two daughters. According to a press release from Town Manager Charlie Cameron, a former police officer and the previous Chief of the Nags Head Police Department, Sgt. Murray was the first NHPD officer killed in the line of duty.

As former town Mayor Bob Muller mentioned in an email, this was Charlie Cameron's last day as Town Manager, and this tragedy made the day's event doubly cruel for the town, and for our former Town Manager. I am sure Mr. Cameron knows more than most of us the true cost of serving the public. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family, friends, colleagues, and other Public Safety personnel serving in Dare County.

It is a thankless job, and one we seldom think about until a tragedy such as this occurs.

The picture above depicts a Nags Head Police vehicle, parked at the scene of the accident, adorned with flowers. An officer from Southern Shores was standing silently along with another person. It was a sad site to see as I arrived home today.

Additional Info:

Link to the Officer Down Memorial Page for Sgt. Murray.

Funeral information:

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at Holy Reedemer Catholic Church at 301 W. Kitty Hawk Road in Kitty Hawk.

This is the largest church sanctuary on the Outer Banks, and we thank Holy Redeemer for having the funeral at their facility. This is how we live and work on the Outer Banks, and its a beautiful thing.