Matthew Murray is a Marine Corps combat veteran, a Special Agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and a devoted husband and father. Raised in a proud Marine Corps family, he spent his childhood living around the world in places such as Hawaii, Okinawa, and Key West. These early experiences—combined with a youth filled with wrestling, soccer, fishing, diving, boating, and mountain biking—shaped his love for the outdoors and his appreciation for diverse cultures and communities.
Growing up in a household where his grandfather, father, and brother all served as senior Marine Corps officers, Murray developed a deep sense of duty and responsibility from an early age. That commitment to service guided him to Florida State University and ultimately into the United States Marine Corps, where he followed in his family’s footsteps.
Murray became an accomplished CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter pilot and later a logistics officer. Over the course of his 20-year Marine Corps career (2000–2020), he deployed to Iraq three times, serving as a squadron pilot, operations officer, and logistics officer. He flew numerous combat missions in support of Marine and coalition forces during Operation Iraqi Freedom. His time in the Marines also included helping coordinate the Miramar Airshow in San Diego—an experience that introduced him to ATF agents and sparked his interest in federal law enforcement.
In 2015, while still serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, Murray joined the ATF as a Special Agent. He quickly became known for his dedication to protecting communities and for his work on major cases that led to the arrest and prosecution of violent criminals, drug traffickers, and weapons offenders. Both the Marine Corps and ATF provided him with the camaraderie, purpose, and service-driven mission he valued deeply.
On December 27, 2024, Murray’s life changed forever. While leaving a neighborhood bowling alley with his wife, Courtney, and their children, Wyatt and Parker, he noticed a group of individuals attempting to start a fight with other patrons. Ensuring his family was safely out of harm’s way, he identified himself as a federal law enforcement officer and attempted to de-escalate the situation. As he spoke to the primary aggressor, another individual approached from behind and shot him in the back of the neck.
The bullet struck his cervical spine, sending fragments into his spinal cord and leaving him a quadriplegic from the chest down. His children heard the gunshot and saw him fall; his wife held pressure on his wound until paramedics arrived. The attack devastated not only Murray, but his family, friends, and the broader USMC and ATF communities.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Murray survived. He now focuses on rehabilitation, physical training, and spending meaningful time with his family and friends. In his own words, the support Murray and his family have received from Tunnel to Towers has been life-changing, allowing them to concentrate on his recovery without the overwhelming burden of financial stress.
ATF Special Agent Matthew Murray remains a symbol of courage, resilience, and unwavering dedication to service. His commitment to protecting others, even at great personal cost, continues to inspire all who know him.Â
The Tunnel to Towers Foundation has provided ATF Special Agent Matthew Murray with a mortgage-free smart home through the Smart Home Program.