BURKE COUNTY, N.C. — Law enforcement and first responders across Burke County are mourning the death of a longtime deputy.
Lt. William “Mac” McMurtray who worked at the sheriff’s office for more than 10 years, died Monday morning after a lengthy battle with COVID-19.
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At the Triple Community Fire Department near Drexel, the flag was lowered to remember McMurtray. Inside the firehouse, Deputy Chief Matthew Franklin showed Channel 9′s Dave Faherty some of the text messages he received from McMurtray from the hospital while he battled COVID-19 over the last month.
Franklin said the deputy was always there when firefighters needed help on a call.
”Mac was one of the people always willing to help. I really loved Mac. He was a great person. I can’t see who will fill his shoes. He’s irreplaceable to me,” Franklin said.
At the Burke County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, dozens of deputies wore black bands across their badges to honor McMurtray. He was one of the supervisors for the deputies who worked the overnight shift and tried to lead by example.
”He was always an officer who was dedicated and wanted to do a good job,” Burke County Sheriff Steve Whisenant said. “The thing you don’t prepare yourself for, you always think you’re gonna see them walk through the door the next day and to know he’ll never be back is difficult.”
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The sheriff told Channel 9 that he plans on petitioning both the state and federal government to classify McMurtray’s death as “In the Line of Duty.” He believes it is likely McMurtray contracted the deadly virus while serving the people of Burke County.
”We come into contact with people who are positive for COVID. Yet, this officer continued to do his duty along with that shift. We think it is a ‘line of duty,’” Whisenant said.
The sheriff said several of the deputies who worked with McMurtray prayed for him daily, at one point gathering around his patrol car to pray.
McMurtray began his career with the Burke County Sheriff’s Office in 2008 as a detention officer at the downtown jail. He was promoted to deputy sheriff later that year in July 2008 and promoted to Sergeant with the patrol division in 2017. In 2019, McMurtray was promoted to Lieutenant to lead the Burke County Sheriff’s Office B Patrol Platoon until his death.
He leaves behind his wife, Angela, and three daughters.
The Burke County Sheriff’s Office sent the following statement to Channel 9 saying in part:
“The Burke County Sheriff’s Office joins “Mac’s” family in their loss of this father, husband, friend, and public servant. Law enforcement officers, support staff, and their families are joined by a special bond and always cognizant of sacrifices. Sacrifices that include missing family events, working at night and on weekends, and for some, the ultimate sacrifice of their life. For the past two years Covid-19 has been the leading cause of death for law enforcement officers in the U.S. Nevertheless, Lt. McMurtray continued to faithfully serve our citizens until he was hospitalized and subsequently taken by Covid-19. The family will be announcing the date and time of the service in the near future. Please join each of us at the Burke County Sheriff’s Office in continuing to pray and support this family in the loss of this dedicated officer in the middle of his law enforcement career.”
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