AN EPIC FAMILY BEACH RETREAT
2025 EPIC Summer Vacation Family Retreat
Meet our EPIC Recipients!
Sergeant Michael Murray
Henrico County, Va Police Div
Nominated by a group of 16 officers who report to him, Seargent Murray's dedication, leadership, and sheer determination to fight back after he was severly injured by a distracted driver while attending to a disbaled vehicle is EPIC indeed!
Sergeant Danny Casto
Follansbee/Wellsburg, WVa Police
From covering shifts for two departments, creating a police camp for kids and making regular trips to stay with his grandson who has been hospitalized since birth to provide his son and daughter-in law with a break, Sergeant Casto exemplifies committment to Department, Community and Family!
At Our Epic Project
we know the value of a family vacation extends well beyond the number of days spent. Taking a family vacation can reduce stress, increase serotonin levels, promote rest and provide an opportunity for families to disconnect from the day to day and reconnect with each other.
Being able to take advantage of a much needed vacation retreat without the added stress of financial burden is where Our EPIC Project steps in. ​Together with our friends and local business community we are excited to share all that our communities have to offer. Beginning with a one week rental, we'll make sure our deserving family has a great home-base for their vacation retreat. From there we'll put together a great itinerary of activities, amenities and experiences that will make this an EPIC week to remember. ​
"Since 2012 Outer Banks Boil Company has been honored to be a part of so many family vacation traditions. When we founded Our Epic Project back in 2022 we knew we wanted to find a way to share that feeling on a different level. We want to be able to make the dream of experiencing an EPIC family vacation retreat a reality for deserving families."
-Matt Khouri, Founder Outer Banks Boil Company
SERGEANT MICHAEL MURRAY- Nominated by Austin LaFollette
I'm writing on behalf of my platoon, a group of around sixteen men and women, who all report to Sergeant Michael Murray. Sergeant Murray has always lead by example, and is the type of sergeant that would never ask one of his men or women to do something he wouldn't do himself. He embodies the responsibility to protect and serve and leads with a fighter's spirit. In August of 2024, Sergeant Murray responded to a disabled vehicle. While helping that citizen, a distracted driver ran into a police vehicle that was serving to block off and protect the disabled vehicle. Standing on the other side of the police vehicle, Murray was struck and thrown into the air. The crash resulted in severe injury to both of his legs, including severing both patellas and breaking bones. He was immediately rushed to the hospital and eventually underwent surgeries - including double knee surgery - to repair his extensive injuries. After surgery, he spent approximately a month at a physical rehabilitation facility learning how to use his legs again. When he was finally released home, Murray was not yet able to walk. His wife had to rip down part of their deck to have a wheelchair ramp installed. He required round the clock assistance. His wife and family were devoted to his recovery, even as the stress on their family reached an all time high. Around 8 months later, Murray rejoined our police force. He has been a leader to us through the loss of two of our officers. He has fought back through a heart attack and a dog attack. He has been in charge of our honor guard and our civil disturbance team. He has earned the respect of our platoon not just because of his over 30 years of law enforcement service, but because of his servant leadership. His selfless devotion inspires us all. As is often the case, it's not only our officers, but also their families that feel the stress and burden of a job in law enforcement. Murray's wife, Shannon, and their family have fought tirelessly to ensure he got the best treatment. They have been emotionally ravaged and financially strapped by this incident. They deserve the chance to join as a family, a year after this catastrophic event, and relax for the first time in that year.
Sergeant Daniel Casto- Nominated by Lee Martineau
Sergeant Daniel Casto happens to be my brother-in-law. He’s been with the police department for 30+ years. He pretty much works doubles on the daily basis due to both departments being short staffed half the time. He’s from the community so he loves it dearly and serves it well. He also serves as the officer on duty for the local schools for kids to go to when I need. He also started a kids program that he runs where kids can learn to become a police officer. They come to a camp and spend a week with Danny and fellow officers teach the children, honor and respect and ways that the police helps the community. Teaches children not to be afraid of police that they are there to help and that that is their job. The kids learn how to work together as a task force and how to help their community and make it better. Danny started this and has continued it for several years. On top of all that he is a devoted, father, husband, and grandfather. His grandson has been living in Pittsburgh hospitals since birth with Menkes disease. Danny constantly visits his grandson in the hospital and stays the night to give his son and daughter-in-law breaks from the stress. Danny constantly goes above and beyond for friends, family and community and put himself on the back burner on a daily basis.. I can honestly tell you I don’t think I have met a better man and I am so happy that my sister found him to enlighten her life. After Danny retires he plans on running for sheriff for the county because he loves it that much and wants to continue to serve , even when he deserves to finally put his feet up, he wants to put his community first. So if there’s anybody that deserves a epic vacation, it is my brother-in-law. Thank you for taking the time to consider my brother-in-law Danny Casto. If there’s anything else that I could tell you just let me know I have stories that go forever about his heroism and dedication to community and family.
