One of Lincoln’s Longest Serving Chaplains Passes Away

Mike McMurtry, one of Lincoln’s longest serving Chaplains passed unexpectedly this week. His coworkers said he epitomized the chaplaincy.

“Whenever I think of the chaplaincy I think of Mike,” said Gary Fuller, Lincoln’s Senior Chaplain.

Mike McMurtry was a Chaplain for Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln Police Department for 28 years. He was also a pastor at United Christ Methodist Church.

Fuller said McMurtry had a constant influence on the community.

“We are a ministry of presence and he had that with the people he worked with,” Fuller said. “If someone was put of their house because of a fire or lost a loved one for some reason, he was there for them.”

Chaplains are always there, standing in the background, ready to help other’s cope with the fallout of tragedy.

“We kinda stand out there on the curb and watch belongings go up in smoke and we’re there to minister them, help them, pray for them, and link them with services,” Fuller said.

It’s a role they fill for First Responders themselves as well.

So this loss isn’t easy, but it concretes what these servants truly mean to the force.

“These situations truly allow us to take a step back and realize who is important and knowing the chaplains take care of us, take care of the police department, and we need to take care of them too,” Division Chief Kendall Warnock said.

Funeral services for McMurtry will be Monday at 11:00 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church.