Officer named top volunteer

Merrimack police officer Mike Murray has received the “Law Enforcement Torch Run Volunteer of the Year” award from the state’s Special Olympics organization.

Murray, who is Merrimack High School’s resource officer, has been involved in Special Olympics for more than 20 years, according to a police press statement.

He has coordinated many torch runs for the state’s south-central region; organized winter, summer and fall sports competitions; facilitated the annual “penguin plunge” on the Seacoast; and is on the executive board for New Hampshire Special Olympics.

Murray also organizes the annual “golden skate challenge” hockey game between the police department and Merrimack High School hockey team, a fundraiser that benefits Special Olympics.

In 2007, Murray represented New Hampshire as a torch-runner in the 2007 Special Olympics World Summer Games in Shanghai, China.