Community in shock after officer’s death

Community in shock after officer’s death

29 February 2012

TRIBUTES have been paid to a Ballynahinch-born police officer who died at his flat in Banbridge last week.

Twenty five year-old Christopher Murphy, who was a former Ulster schools’ GAA medallist, died suddenly from a brain haemorrhage.

Tributes to the police officer were led by his brother Michael, who said the Murphy family had been left “devastated” at what had happened.

“Chris seemed to be the happiest he’s ever been, at the beginning of a promising career with his whole future ahead of him,” his brother told the Irish News.

“My favourite memory of him is winning the Ulster Schools’ Gaelic football championship with Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College, Knock, on my 17th birthday when we played together in the same team.

“He was my big brother; there was just a year between us. He always looked after me and we did everything together. No one has ever said a bad word about him. He was the most amazing person I have ever met.

“He loved his family. He loved his girlfriend. He loved his work. He was just an all-round good person. Chris is my hero and he will remain in our hearts forever.”

Mr. Murphy said his brother, who played soccer for Saintfield AYC as well as being a talented gaelic footballer and badminton player, joined the PSNI almost two years ago and left a deep impression on all who met him.

“All of the PSNI people have said no one ever had a bad word to say about Chris. I spoke to him the night before he died. We were just talking about stuff like football and he was looking forward to going skiing.”

Mr. Murphy said his brother will be “sorely missed by all who knew him,” including friends and relatives all over the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Cambodia, America and Vietnam.

Ballynahinch parish priest, Canon Gerry McCrory, described Christopher as “someone full of willingness to get involved with others.”

Canon McCrory continued: “He related easily to others and had a pleasant personality. His death has caused a lot of shock to his contemporaries.”

Christopher is survived by his parents Geraldine and Peter, brother Michael and girlfriend Tina. His funeral service was held at St. Patrick’s Church in Ballynahinch on Monday.