Earthquake hero and caring cop
A Life Story
Murray Marks was a ‘‘humble hero’’ who helped rescue people trapped under rubble after the Christchurch earthquake.
Known to his friends as Muzz, Marks served in the police for 30 years. . He died in hospital on April 8, after a heart attack four weeks ago.
He helped rescue people and recover bodies from three sites after the magnitude-6.3 tremor struck Christchurch on February 22, 2011. He also went out alone with cutting equipment to try to rescue people on Poplar Lane.
Friend and colleague Sergeant Daniel Isherwood said Marks never wanted to be recognised for his bravery.
‘‘He was very humble and never spoke about it,’’ he said. ‘‘He was everywhere in the quakes. He went to the CTV building, he was at the Pyne Gould Corporation (PGC) building for three or four days working getting people out, both dead and alive.
‘‘He helped cut people out of the bus [buried under rubble] on Colombo St. He never sought recognition for that and not many people know what he did there. It was pretty unique and he was never recognised for it.
‘‘It was very brave what he did.’’ Marks joined the police in 1987 and was part of the Special Tactics Group (STG) from 1993. He specialised in using explosives to breach doors, walls and windows in operations. The STG was ‘‘set up to deal with incidents that are beyond the capability of the armed offenders squad’’, Isherwood said.
He also helped protect people at the Sydney Olympics in 2000 and various G20 summits, as well as working on numerous operations throughout the South Island, including long-term surveillance.
Once, while on duty in the Christchurch suburb of New Brighton in the 1990s, he tackled a man who was pointing a sawn-off shotgun at his head. Marks told the court he was waiting for the bang during his struggle with the man and knew a shotgun blast would have ‘‘blown my head off’’. Isherwood said Marks ’’had a really magnetic personality and was very popular among the STG and wider police. He was a very caring person who totally did everything for his kids. He lived for them.’’
Friend Dave Joker joined the police with Marks in 1987.
‘‘He ... wanted the best for everyone. He loved his kids. He was an all-round good guy.
‘‘We used to go out on the town and have a good time when we were younger. As we got older he enjoyed his family and catching up with friends at a barbecue.’’
Sister Lyn Boyce said Marks was an ‘‘amazing brother’’, whom she remembered playing hockey for New Zealand as a child.
‘‘He was idolised by his nieces and nephews. He is a bit of a hero to them for the things that he has done and the time he spends with the family.’’