NAPOLEON, Ohio — Days after the Napoleon Police Department lost one of its own in the line of duty, a procession of law enforcement will honor the officer and his family with an escort to the funeral home Friday.
The public is encouraged to line the route in respect of Officer Tyler Murrey.
The procession will begin at 9:30 a.m. and cross through the intersection of Riverview and Scott Street, north to Woodlawn Avenue, to Westmoreland Avenue, and end at the Rodenberger-Grey Funeral Home in Napoleon.
City offices will be closed from 9-10 a.m. Friday to allow staff to pay respects.
On Monday, Napoleon Police Chief Edward Legg released a statement announcing that 31-year-old Murrey died in the line of duty on Saturday.
Murrey served the city of Napoleon since 2018 and was also part of the warrant entry team. Murray was the department's firearms instructor and armorer, according to Legg.
"Officer Murrey served with enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication in an effort to keep our City safe," Legg said, in part, in the statement. "He was naturally gifted at making individuals feel at ease and welcome. His personality was infectious and always lit up every room he walked in."
On Tuesday, Gov. Mike DeWine's office ordered the lowering of the U.S. and state of Ohio flags in honor of Murrey. The flags will remain lowered until sunset on the day of Murrey's funeral.
Also Tuesday, Murrey's family posted an obituary to the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home's website.
According to the obituary, Murrey was born in Toledo in 1993, graduated from Liberty Center High School in 2011 and married his wife, Amy, in 2016.
Murrey graduated from the Northwest State Community College's police academy. He joined NPD and was sworn in on Oct. 1, 2018, becoming a patrol officer.
Murrey is survived by his wife, two children, Addie and Ella, parents and siblings, among other extended family members.
An open visitation will be held from 3-8 p.m. on Thursday and 10-11 a.m. on Friday at the Rodenberger-Gray Funeral Home.
"In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Tyler Murrey Memorial Fund at any Civista Bank location. All memorials contributed will be used to benefit Amy, Addie, and Ella with future expenses and education," the obituary states. Condolences can also be left online at the funeral home's website.
Additionally, a memorial fund has been established on GoFundMe in support of the family. If interested, donations can be made at this link.
The exact circumstances surrounding Murrey's death have not yet been publicly released by the department or by the coroner.
Napoleon Chief of Poliece Edward Legg issued the following statement on Monday:
With a heavy heart the City of Napoleon announces the loss of one of our beloved officers, Officer Tyler Murrey. Officer Murrey died in the line of duty on November 16, 2024.
Officer Murrey has been with the City of Napoleon since 2018, and performed extra duties on our Warrant Entry Team, Firearms Instructor, and Armorer. Officer Murrey served with enthusiasm, compassion, and dedication in an effort to keep our City safe. He was naturally gifted at making individuals feel at ease and welcome. His personality was infectious and always lit up every room he walked in.
The City of Napoleon wishes to express our most sincere condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of Officer Tyler Murrey. Our thoughts are all with those who are affected by these difficult circumstances.
This sad event is a reminder of the value of supporting each other in the face of hardship.