‘Right place at the right time’
Friends and family of Joey Murray joined local dignitaries for a surprise ceremony in which Murray was made a Kentucky Colonel.
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
At a time when all attention and accolades were addressed to him, Joey Murray simply smiled, nodded, and deferred to others.
“I appreciate all of YOU,” he said.
At the Russell County Courthouse last Wednesday, Murray was called to what he thought was a discussion about a project at the Greasy Creek Bridge.
But more was in store for the Power Plant Shift Operator at the Wolf Creek Power Plant.
When he arrived at the meeting location, friends, family, and acquaintances of Murray were waiting to surprise him and celebrate a very special honor.
“We wanted to make you a Kentucky Colonel,” Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum said. “This is for what you did on July 25. You changed a man’s life, you saved him.”
Marcum presented Murray with a framed certificate proclaiming him as a Kentucky Colonel.
Joey Murray, left, was presented with a Kentucky Colonel commission last week by Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum, right. Murray was honored for his heroic efforts recently during an incident at the Wolf Creek Dam.
“I appreciate it,” a humbled Murray said. “I just happened to be at the right place at the right time and did what I could.”
Murray recalled what many consider heroic actions.
“On the night of July 25th, my boss called me at 9:45 at night and said we had three fishermen in the tailwater and to shut everything down,” he explained. “I had already shut the units down at 9 p.m., so I ran inside the dam and closed the sluice gate. As soon as I came out of the dam Rick Napier (proprietor of the nearby, popular Big Daddy’s Eats & Treats at Kendall Park), called and told me where one of the guys were located.”
“I ran down to the tail deck and dropped a life ring to him,” Murray said. “I made sure he put it around him and kept him talking until the rescue squad was able to get to him.”
Agencies including Russell County Search & Rescue, Russell County E-911, Russell County EMS, the Russell County Sheriff’s Office, and Russell County Emergency Management responded to the scene.
From left, Joey Murray, Russell County Judge Executive Randy Marcum, and Russell County Emergency Management Director Micheal Bray talked about a recent incident at the Wolf Creek Dam in which Murray was praised for his actions.
Russell County Emergency Management Director Michael Bray, who was instrumental in organizing last week’s ceremony, praised Murray’s efforts.
“He really helped to keep things from ending much worse than they could have,” Bray said.
“I’m thankful I was there and able to play a part especially for the outcome they had,” Murray said. “I want to thank everyone that had a hand in this! It’s truly a proud moment that I will never forget.”
Murray admitted the honor was “totally unexpected.”
“I feel like I reacted like anyone else would have,” he said. “I’m just thankful…I was able to make a difference…I’m thankful it all worked out.”
Many people at last week’s event couldn’t help but comment how Joey’s father, beloved, long-time Jamestown Councilman Larry Joe Murray, who passed away in 2020 “would be proud” of his son.
He sure would be…and is.
