Deputy Raymond E. Morrical, a member of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department, passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2015 at the age of 52. His son, Andrew, a junior at East Paulding High School and a member of the basketball team, was playing in the first game he would play after his father’s death on Saturday, December 12. When his father was not on duty, Deputy Morrical would be in the stands watching his son play.

Support for Andrew
When East Paulding took the court against Chapel Hill, the stands were filled with dozens of Cobb County sheriff’s deputies as they showed support for the young man who had just lost his father. On this night, there were no home team and visitor bleachers as the entire gymnasium filled with brown uniforms of the men who stood beside Andrew’s father in the line of duty.

Heartwarming to Others
Savannah Rae Paul who came to watch the game on Saturday night said that it isn’t unusual to see police officers in the stands during rival games, but it was clear that was not the case on this night. She said it brought her to tears to see hundreds of officers in the stand to support Andrew. She said it made her heart happy to see the officers supporting the young man when his father couldn’t. Gary Marshall, another spectator at the game, posted a photo of the officers in the stands on Facebook, saying “hats off to the officers who came out.” Mr. Marshall said that it was a clear indication of how “awesome” the Smyrna community is that the officers would take the time to come out to the game for Andrew.

About Deputy Morrical
Deputy Morrical was a member of the Cobb County Sheriff’s Office and a veteran of the United States Marine Corp. He was married to his wife, Tammy Abbott Morrical, and they had four children, Sgt. Tyler R. Johnson, Erika L. Johnson Murphy and her husband Alex, Andrew and Ashley Mlijah, Maleaorrical. He also had three grandchildren, Elijah, Malea and Isaiah Murphy. The family requests donations be made to the East Paulding High School Basketball Team at 3236 Atlanta Highway, Dallas, GA 30157, further indicating how dedicated Mr. Morrical was to his son’s team.

Waggoner Insurance sends our deepest condolences to the Morrical family in their time of loss. It is heartwarming to see the outpouring of support from the Cobb County Sheriff’s Department after the loss of a husband and father at such a young age. Be sure that your family is protected with adequate life insurance should something happen to you. Contact Waggoner Insurance today for a full review of your policy to be sure that your family will be taken care of should the unexpected happen. Our staff can also discuss other insurance needs, such as health, auto and home so that your family is completely protected.

Sources:
Atlanta Journal Constitution
West Cobb Funeral Home