Chris McMurtrey Medical Fund
Donation protected
Who is Chris?
Chris McMurtrey first and foremost is dedicated to his wife Megan, sons Zach and Nate and the Spokane Community. He is a loving husband and father and has spent many years serving both our Nation and our Community. Chris served his country as a soldier in the Army. During his military time, he served one combat tour in Iraq in 2004.
After coming home he was hired as a police officer with the Eastern Washington University Police Department where he worked for two and a half years. After working for EWU PD, Chris joined the Spokane Police Department in September of 2008 and he has been with the SPD ever since.
Senior Police Officer McMurtrey is currently a member of the SWAT Team, a SWAT Team Medic/Certified EMT and a Use of Force Instructor for SPD. He previously served as a SWAT Sniper and FTO (Field Training Officer). Chris is a leader on patrol and an officer that others look up to and try to emulate. Numerous times during his career Chris has risked his health and life for those around him, both his peers and complete strangers. He organizes support for the 9/11 Twin Towers Run each year and is a former standout baseball pitcher for University High School.
Some of his Awards & Commendations are listed below:
• Received the Silver Star 08/2012 for courageous actions above and beyond that normally expected.
• Received a Partners in Justice Law Enforcement award nomination for outstanding service to victims of sexual assaults.
• Received 5 letters of commendation from citizens.
• Received 3 internal letters of commendation from members of SPD.
• Received a letter of commendation from Kennewick Police Department for his role in a bank robbery investigation in 12/2010.
What is his situation?
Chris is in need of a full disc replacement from the wear and tear on his back from his service as a soldier and police officer. Chris has spent over four years trying different forms of rehabilitation; workout programs, medications, and physical therapy. The McMurtrey family has sought the advise of different medical personnel and has been given the same diagnosis by each. His only option if he is to continue serving as a police officer and living an active life with his wife and children is to have the full disc replacement. This surgery is not currently offered in the United States due to health care issues far beyond Chris’s control.
He will need to travel 6,436 miles to Cyprus, the only location where his surgeon is currently performing the surgery. This doctor has been thoroughly vetted by Chris including contact with other members of our community who have had the procedure preformed. Unfortunately, the surgery is not covered at all by insurance and Chris and his family are looking at a $35,000 expense for the surgery alone and all of this money is “out of pocket.” He will also be tasked with coming up with approximately $10,000 in both travel and costs to cover the 10 days he is required to stay in Cyprus to recover from the surgery. He is looking at a long road to recovery but the surgery will provide a full career ahead of him. His current options are to take loans out against his house and dip into his retirement despite the high penalties that would be assessed.
What can you do to help?
We are thankful for anything that you can contribute whether it is thoughts, prayers, money, or all three. Thank you in advance for taking your time to read about Officer McMurtrey. Chris has made great sacrifices in taking care of his Country and Community. Helping to fund his surgery is an opportunity for us to help take care of him.
Chris McMurtrey first and foremost is dedicated to his wife Megan, sons Zach and Nate and the Spokane Community. He is a loving husband and father and has spent many years serving both our Nation and our Community. Chris served his country as a soldier in the Army. During his military time, he served one combat tour in Iraq in 2004.
After coming home he was hired as a police officer with the Eastern Washington University Police Department where he worked for two and a half years. After working for EWU PD, Chris joined the Spokane Police Department in September of 2008 and he has been with the SPD ever since. Senior Police Officer McMurtrey is currently a member of the SWAT Team, a SWAT Team Medic/Certified EMT and a Use of Force Instructor for SPD. He previously served as a SWAT Sniper and FTO (Field Training Officer). Chris is a leader on patrol and an officer that others look up to and try to emulate. Numerous times during his career Chris has risked his health and life for those around him, both his peers and complete strangers. He organizes support for the 9/11 Twin Towers Run each year and is a former standout baseball pitcher for University High School. Some of his Awards & Commendations are listed below:
• Received the Silver Star 08/2012 for courageous actions above and beyond that normally expected.
• Received a Partners in Justice Law Enforcement award nomination for outstanding service to victims of sexual assaults.
• Received 5 letters of commendation from citizens.
• Received 3 internal letters of commendation from members of SPD.
• Received a letter of commendation from Kennewick Police Department for his role in a bank robbery investigation in 12/2010.
What is his situation?
Chris is in need of a full disc replacement from the wear and tear on his back from his service as a soldier and police officer. Chris has spent over four years trying different forms of rehabilitation; workout programs, medications, and physical therapy. The McMurtrey family has sought the advise of different medical personnel and has been given the same diagnosis by each. His only option if he is to continue serving as a police officer and living an active life with his wife and children is to have the full disc replacement. This surgery is not currently offered in the United States due to health care issues far beyond Chris’s control.
He will need to travel 6,436 miles to Cyprus, the only location where his surgeon is currently performing the surgery. This doctor has been thoroughly vetted by Chris including contact with other members of our community who have had the procedure preformed. Unfortunately, the surgery is not covered at all by insurance and Chris and his family are looking at a $35,000 expense for the surgery alone and all of this money is “out of pocket.” He will also be tasked with coming up with approximately $10,000 in both travel and costs to cover the 10 days he is required to stay in Cyprus to recover from the surgery. He is looking at a long road to recovery but the surgery will provide a full career ahead of him. His current options are to take loans out against his house and dip into his retirement despite the high penalties that would be assessed.
What can you do to help?
We are thankful for anything that you can contribute whether it is thoughts, prayers, money, or all three. Thank you in advance for taking your time to read about Officer McMurtrey. Chris has made great sacrifices in taking care of his Country and Community. Helping to fund his surgery is an opportunity for us to help take care of him.
Organizer and beneficiary
Jenna Fairbanks
Organizer
Spokane, WA
Christopher McMurtrey
Beneficiary
