GATESVILLE, TX — A benefit was held for a Coryell County sheriff's deputy after his career came to a sudden end.
Deputy Kelly Murphy had been with the Coryell County Sheriff's Office for several years and previously served with the Belton Police Department.
"He is a very good deputy and comes with a lot of experience," Sheriff Scott Williams said.
After 24 years in law enforcement, Murphy had to hang up his badge.
"He suffered a very major stroke that debilitated him," said Williams. "His sense of dexterity, strength and balance and stuff has caused him to not be able to be a full-time deputy."
The sudden end to Murphy’s career has put a financial and emotional strain on him and his family.
"It is very heartbreaking," said Williams. "When one of us bleeds, we all bleed. When one of us hurts, we all hurt. To see him and his family with such a traumatic experience and this horrible setback, it pains us."
The sheriff's office held a benefit in order to help their downed deputy on May 19.
"He has paid his dues here. So we are going to try to come up with as much support for him and whatever else we can come up with to ease this struggle that him and his family are experiencing right now,” said Williams. "Kelly, I just want you to know that I love you, boy. You're a good man and a good deputy. I'm sorry this has happened to you and your family. My word on it, we are going to do everything we can for you."
At the benefit on Sunday at the Gatesville Fire Department, Murphy said, "It's been like a roller coaster, an up and down journey. There are days when I'm doing pretty good, when I'm physically able to do something I wasn't able to before. Then there are other days where it almost reminds you of a deep depression."
Murphy said he wanted to thank everybody who put the benefit together and came out to support him.
"I love each and every one of you," said Murphy. "This is not the end by a long shot."
Several community members in and around Gatesville donated to the event.
The city posted the following on Kelly Murphy's benefit page:
Kelly Murphy served as a peace officer for more than 24 years both in Bell and Coryell County. He suffered a stroke in January of this year which left him with disabilities that brought his career as a deputy sheriff with the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office to a sudden end. Kelly Murphy’s family in blue (co-workers) of the Coryell County Sheriff’s Office, along with the Gatesville Fire Department, are having a benefit due to the fact that he cannot work. All monies from the benefit and any donations will be given to him and his family in hopes to provide some financial relief during their struggle with this life-changing event.
Anyone who would like to donate can contact Sgt. Brown at the Coryell County Sheriff's Office at (254) 865-7201.
