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Official Search For Local 77 Member Ends

October 4, 2004

The official search for plane carrying a Local 77 member and pillar of the Washington state labor movement was called off September 29 after nine days, though an unofficial search continues along the Alaska coast. Joe Murphy, 65, disappeared along with his twin brother, Jim, and three other people in a small aircraft en route to a fishing trip September 20 in Alaska.

After a 200-hour search, the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska state troopers and the Sitka Fire Department turned up no definitive signs of the plane or its passengers, which in addition to the Murphy brothers were two men from California and the Alaska-based pilot. Joe is vice president of the Washington state Labor Council and is active in Democratic Party politics.

Crews waged an intensive search by air, land and sea of more than 1,200 miles of rugged shoreline using night-vision, underwater cameras and forward-looking infrared equipment in the vast region along Alaskas southwest coast. The search commenced shortly after the Federal Aviation Administration reported the plane overdue on a trip from Sitka to nearby Baranof Warm Springs on a rainy, blustery morning.

Harris Aircraft Services of Sitka, Alaska, which owns the missing Beaver floatplane, continued the search through last weekend. A dozen volunteers scoured the rough and heavily wooded terrain on foot.

"Hes had adversity all his life but it never slowed him down," said Local 77 Business Manager Don Guillot. "Hes a strong-hearted person."

Several members of the Murphy family remain in Alaska taking part in the search for Joe and Jim, who is an ironworker active in that union and California state politics. Joes wife, Gerry, and Jims wife, Bonnie, also joined the search with the help of more than $17,000 in donations from Local 77 members and friends.  The funds are going toward travel expenses for the family and the purchase of communications equipment for the searchers. Flight attendants at Alaska Airlines donated miles toward the purchase of plane tickets for family members. Outdoor retailer REI donated protective clothing. A $10,000 reward has also been offered.

"Were still sending money up to the family," Guillot said. "They havent given up yet and either have we."

Joe Murphy, 64, has four children, grandchildren and two foster children from Vietnam. A journeyman wireman by trade, most recently he has been acting as political coordinator, spearheading the locals Mobilization 2004 effort. Guillot said Murphy has been occupied with ambitious voter registration efforts and the labor-to-neighbor initiatives coordinated by the AFL-CIO.

"His whole life is dedicated to working people, without a doubt," Guillot said.

Contributions to the Murphy Rescue Fund are being accepted at the Local 77 business office, P.O. Box 12129, Seattle, WA, 98102.  Click here for more from the Local 77 Web site.

www.ibew77.com

17th Coast Guard District Public Information Site -- Murphy Search Info