Rest In Peace, Sergeant Dulan Earl Murray.

I've been wrestling with this post since Saturday morning when I shot these pictures. I didn't know whether or not to post. After all, my blog is irreverent at best. And I'm rarely serious about anything. But I finally decided to try to do this. At first, I just couldn't. It was too raw. But now, I'd like to pay my respects to Sgt. Dulan Earl Murray, a Nags Head Police Officer and the first in the town's history to be killed in the line of duty. Sgt. Murray was 48 years old. He had more than 26 years in law enforcement and had been with the Nags Head Police Department since February 1997. He leaves behind a wife and two daughters. You can read more about it here.

This tribute to Sgt. Murray- a Nags Head police car made into a makeshift memorial adorned with bouquets of flowers left by citizens and friends - stands at the site of the tragic accident that took this officer's life.

Sergeant Murray was doing what our policemen do when he lost his life. Protect and Serve. He was responding to a reported breaking and entering 3-ish AM Friday when he lost control of his car, in heavy rain, and hit a cement power pole just south of Nags Head elementary school on the bypass.

Sergeant Murray died at the scene. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family. I am so very sorry for your loss. And for ours.

Officer Down Memorial Page. I thank our service men and women for all you do.