By Jennifer Ferris
Chapel Hill Herald (Durham, NC)
Copyright 2006 The Durham Herald Co.
CARRBORO, N.C. — A community mourned Monday for a former fire chief who — despite a series of missteps and legal troubles — will be remembered for his generosity, empathy and solid professional service record.
Police still won’t release a cause of death for Rodney Murray, who was found dead in a Cary hotel Saturday night, and will only say that there was no violence in evidence when he was found.
Murray checked into LaQuinta Inn just after midnight on Saturday and was found dead about 10:15 p.m. the same day. “We are still in the preliminary steps of a death investigation,” Cary Police Captain David Wulff said Monday. “He was in his hotel room. He was in bed when we found him, and there was no violence.”
Murray, 58, spent the last six months in courtrooms and in jail on charges he stalked a former girlfriend and drove while impaired.
But friends of Carrboro’s former fire chief asked Monday that he be remembered for the good aspects of his life and not his recent struggles.
“I hope people can look at the totality of his life and not at the last six months,” Chapel Hill Fire Chief Dan Jones said. “He was sick the last six months.”
Murray suffered from a heart attack last November and went on medical leave from the town of Carrboro shortly after. He never returned to work.
Murray announced his retirement soon after an arrest for stalking and stayed on leave until his official end date.
During that time, frequent news reports cast Murray as a man who seemed unable to control his behavior. He was described by a clinical psychologist in court as being addicted to his former girlfriend.
But Carrboro Police Chief Carolyn Hutchison says that while she held Murray accountable for his actions, she never felt those reports revealed the truth about a man she considered a close friend.
“I’ve seen very good people do very bad things in their lives,” she said. “Behavior is not an essential core of a person.
“I don’t believe [Murray] was a bad person.”
So who was this man who high-ranking officials defend despite numerous embarrassing legal troubles? Jones, who served with Murray at the Chapel Hill Fire Department, says he was a good friend and a consummate professional.
*In 1968, Murray — who was then 19 years old — joined the Chapel Hill police department. Only a year later he was chosen as firefighter of the year.
*During the 26 years he served on that force, he was awarded 16 letters of appreciation and four commendations.
*While having dinner at Slugs at The Pines in Chapel Hill in May 1990, Murray saved a woman from choking and was later honored with a Lifesaving Award for the rescue.
*When President Bill Clinton visited in 1993, Murray was one of two Chapel Hill firefighters assigned to his security detail and got to meet and take pictures with the visiting dignitary.
*Murray beat out 160 applicants for the job of Carrboro’s fire chief in 1993 and when he joined the force in 1994, he immediately became that team’s biggest advocate, lobbying for more employees, higher salaries and other locations.
*A series of fires along North Greensboro Street were investigated as arson. Murray headed a team that looked into the 20 small fires.
*A firefighter on his force was seriously injured during a house fire that proved to be arson. Murray supported the family throughout the recovery.
*In August 2000, Murray assisted in the birth of baby boy, born in the parking lot of Berkshire Manner Apartments.
*Knowing the town was having budget problems, in 2002, he helped his force remodel its headquarters by hand. It is estimated he saved the town $500,000 by using the force’s labor.
*A second Carrboro fire substation, to serve the northern section of the town is expected to begin construction next year. Murray had argued for that site since 1996.
Beyond basic facts, both Jones and Hutchison describe a man who never put himself first and who had a soft spot for anyone in need.
“What he was known for in the department was always fighting for the underdog and always looking out for the interests of the frontline guys,” Jones said. “He loved fire service, and he loved to help people. He was very tenderhearted, and he couldn’t stand to see anyone in trouble.
“I think for him, fire service was a very good fit.”
“He was one of the most compassionate people I’ve known,” Hutchison said. “He would always donate his sick hours to those who needed it.”
Murray left behind two sons, Christopher Murray of Apex and Bradley Murray of Raleigh and one brother, Donovan Murray and wife, Pat, of Durham.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Durham Memorial Baptist Church. Friends may visit at Hall-Wynne Funeral Home from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesday.