COUPEVILLE – People here are reeling from the shock of losing one of the town’s police officers.
Deputy Marshal William Ray Hibbs Jr., died of a heart attack Wednesday while jogging in Oak Harbor. Hibbs, who was known as Billy Ray, was 37.
County Coroner Robert Bishop said Hibbs’ death caught everybody by surprise because he was young and had no history of heart problems.
“It was out of the blue,” Bishop said, adding that the cause of the heart attack is unknown.
Town Marshal Leonard Marlborough said Hibbs made a huge impact since he started in Coupeville in 1997. He was active in town as a member of the Masons, as a tae kwon do instructor and as a volunteer with the school district.
“The kids at the school took the news of his death very, very hard,” Marlborough said.
Because of his school connections, the public memorial service will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the Coupeville High School gym, 501 S. Main St.
Hibbs is survived by his wife, Jeanine, son Justin and daughter Nichole in Coupeville, and son Tyler in Wichita, Kan.
A native of Wichita Falls, Texas, Hibbs had a laid-back Southern drawl and a jovial demeanor, Marlborough said.
“He was a major problem solver,” Marlborough said. “He did not have the highest arrest numbers, but he solved the problems and did it in a very pleasant way.”
Even people he arrested sometimes commented on how pleasant Hibbs was, Marlborough said.
“He was a perfect fit for Coupeville,” Bishop said.
A memorial fund to assist the family has been set up at Whidbey Island Bank. Donations may be made at any branch.
Reporter Scott Morris: 425-339-3292 or smorris@heraldnet.com.
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