Cockeysville Precinct Captain Announces Retirement

Cockeysville Precinct Police Captain J. Martin Lurz announced his retirement via email to community members on the station's mailing list.

Read the full text of his annoucement below.

"After thirty-eight years, four months and twenty-two days (yes, including nine leap year days over that time span!), I have decided that it’s time to move on and retire, effective November 1st, 2011.

My sincere thanks goes out to all of the business owners and residents that have supported the Precinct 7 officers and me over the past eleven years that I have served on the command staff – the last six-plus years as commander and the previous five as assistant commander. It was truly a pleasure to work with folks who really care about their community and realize the importance of working with the police department to reduce crime and improve the quality of life. I have also been blessed with good personnel, supervisors and officers, who have worked to provide quality service to our constituents. I believe that quality service and building close working relationships with our residents is the key to creating allies against crime. But, we can’t do that without the residents…the businesses…the community associations…the volunteers….the Police and Community Relations Council…all of you who have been willing to step up and get involved. I know that we couldn’t resolve every neighborhood issue, but I can tell you that we certainly tried.

As I move on, Lieutenant Bob McGraw will assume command responsibility for Precinct 7 for an unknown period of time. Many of you are familiar with Lt. McGraw and have worked with him on various projects in the precinct. I would ask that you work with him in the same way you have worked with me. Bob has told me that he will continue to maintain the Precinct 7 email tree that reaches so many residents of this precinct.

And so, for “eleven year” members of the tree who are acclimated to hearing it, and for the “newbie” members who haven’t yet heard it ad nauseam, here’s one for old time’s sake – “Don’t forget to take an extra minute to make sure that all of your doors and windows are locked and secured. Remember, most burglars will look for the easiest and quietest method of entry. They do not want to make noise to attract attention. Don't forget also...the majority of thefts from automobiles involve an unlocked car door.”

So there you go…you get to hear the Precinct 7 mantra one last time from the guy who preached it endlessly.

Stay healthy…stay safe…Pax Vobiscum!"

Lieutenant Bob McGraw said he expects the change to go smoothly.

"I've worked with him for years and he's been a great mentor," McGraw said. "We've worked well together and we tend to think along the same lines so I expect the transition will be seamless."