WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Harold Murphy, Jr. served his country as a Marine and his community as a police officer, and he built the iconic tow truck business that carries his name.
Family and friends gathered at St. Juliana Catholic Church on Thursday to honor his legacy. He passed away last Friday at the age of 79.
But outside the church was an even bigger honor. Dozens of tow trucks lined up, shining their rigs and planning their route for a sendoff like no other.
"I've got trucks here from Key West, north of Vero. I've got trucks from the west coast all here to represent," said Drew Zuccala, a tow truck owner.
And represent they did! The long line of tow trucks traveled from the church to the cemetery, where drivers planted flags in Murphy's honor.
"When we line up with the escorts and stuff, people stop. Some people get out and salute. People say a prayer. It's very, very emotional," said Zuccala.
"It's a brother and sisterhood in the towing industry," said Lindsey Zuccala, a tow truck driver and organizer of Thursday's show of support. "We are competitors on a day to day basis, but when we lose one of our heroes, our fellow tow operators, we all come together as a family."
Murphy's family did not want to go on camera, but said their father was humble and would be overwhelmed by the processional. One of the organizers has no doubt Murphy knows all about it.
"He's up in heaven looking down with a big smile on his face, super proud, definitely proud," said Lindsey Zuccala.
