Walter Philip Murken

My hero is known by many different names Hero, Chief, Officer, but by me he is called Grandpop. My Grandpop is mine and (a lot of other people's) hero. Walter Philip Murken was born in Escalon, California. He is the first born in his family and he attended Dent Elementary through the eighth grade. Four years later he graduated from Escalon High School. He then went on to get his Bachelor's degree at University of San Francisco. He married Deborah Gayle Ellis in 1982 and has been married to her ever since. Throughout my Grandpop's life he has had to fight and face challenges, but not any that are as challenging as what he will have to face in the future.

I thought being a Grandpop was hard, but it's nothing compared to his exciting past. He has been a Police Chief, Undercover DEA, a Drug Rehabilitation Driver, the Mayor of Escalon, Armored Guard, Court Marshall, spent three month training for the FBI and he also fought in the Vietnam War under the Navy. When he got out of the war he got a lot of war metals including National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Navy Good Conduct, and Meritorious Unit Accommodation. He retired but could not stay still, he is currently working as a Security Guard at a local Hospital. With all the jobs come a lot of family memories.

When my mom was younger they would keep the scanner on just so they would make sure that Grandpop was not in any danger. However, when they would hear "4x," his police name, being said no matter what they were doing they would stop and listen. One night though, it was different. Grandpop had not come home yet and everyone was asleep. "4x" the radio blared loud enough for everyone to hear it. The whole house arose when they heard their dad's number come on the scanner. It was not like most of the time his number was called; this time he did not respond to the call. Turns out that he responded to a fight at the bar and when they called his number he was in the middle of a fight. He could not respond, silence fell for what felt like forever. They waited "Yes, I am here and I am bringing him into custody." The house was awake again. Well, as awake as teenagers can be at two o'clock in the morning. When he finally responded it was just like normal and everyone went back to sleep.

His family comes first no matter what happens. My Grandpop is not just here to protect other people, he also has lived to protect his ever growing family. My mom and my Uncle Trevor come from my grandma's first marriage. My Aunt Alex was adopted one day before her first birthday. My Aunt Cassie was adopted when she was about four years old. My last Uncle was adopted when he was about four as well. But all three of the kids were high needs children. After that the family continued to grow: my sister, Shania was born in 1997, and I was born in 1998. My Uncle Trevor got married and now has had Harlan in 2013. My Grandpop helps his family no matter what happens.

My Grandpop is my hero because he spends his whole life protecting people, and his family. Even though he does more than what anybody asks of him, he never asks of anything in return. I believe that if someone dedicates and put there life on the line every day to help people, those people deserve to be noticed. He put his family first, and last but not least the world. He took children in who didn't have a home. He has been my hero for as long as I can remember. I looked up to him when I was younger and still do. No matter what, he still has time to enjoy his family life and hang out with me and my family. My Grandpop is a real life super hero without the cape.