May 6, 2008

On Saturday May 3^rd, 2008 the Connecticut State Police family suffered a tremendous loss when State Police Det. Craig Murray passed away unexpectedly.

Det. Murray, a 13 plus year veteran of the State Police, died of natural causes while camping with his family in Ashford CT. 

Murray attended the University of Connecticut and played on the UConn football team. He entered the Connecticut State Police Training Academy in November of 1994. After graduating from the State Police Academy Tfc Murray was assigned to Troop A in Southbury. He was transferred to serve at Troop G in Bridgeport and in 1998 he was transferred to Troop C in Tolland when Det. Murray and his family moved to Stafford Springs. Det Murray was an important part of that community and the Troop C family where he was loved and admired by both his co-workers and the public that he served.

Tfc Murray served in many specialized assignments during his State Police career.  He was proud of his service to the people of the State of Connecticut. He served with distinction when he was a part of a team of Troopers assigned to work with Hartford Police Officers in the City of Hartford save our streets program. 

Tfc Murray also was a highly successful School Resource Officer. Tfc Murray was assigned to E.O. Smith High School in Mansfield as the school resource officer. He was loved and respected by the students, faculty, and administration of the high school.

In 2007 State Police Detective Murray requested assignment as a State Police polygraph examiner.  Murray was assigned to attend the elite polygraph examiners school. He successfully completed the polygraph examiners program.  Det Murray   was then assigned to the State Police forensic polygraph examiner unit.

Public Safety Commissioner John A. Danaher III said that the passing of TFC Craig Murray is a huge loss that the Connecticut State Police. His professionalism and dedication to duty is second to none.

Colonel Thomas Davoren the Commanding officer of the Connecticut State Police said  Tfc Murray was a great person. He was one our true department heroes dedicated to the State Police Department and to the people of Connecticut.  His brother and sister Troopers will miss him greatly. 

Det. Murray is survived by his wife Laura and their three children Tyler, Alyssa, and Jasmine. He is also survived by his father John Murray and his wife Kathy, nine brothers and sisters, his mother in law Mary Lou Hill, two brothers in law and their wives and many nieces’ nephews and cousins.

The funeral with full State Police Department honors will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday May 10 at John E. Julian Heritage Park Stafford St Stafford Springs.

Memorial donations may be made to the Craig Murray Children’s education Fund  c/o Rose Roszczewski P.O. Box 25 Stafford Springs, CT. 06076

Note: during the funeral services Rt.190, and Stafford Street, during the hours of 9:00 am and 11:00 a.m. will be closed.

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