John E. Murdock, 86, of Rodeo, California, passed away on January 19th, 2025, after a long battle with cancer.

John was born on September 19th, 1938, to John and Lela Murdock in Elmhurst, Illinois. After John graduated from Wheaton Community High School in 1956, he served four years in the United States Air Force as an Airman-jet engine mechanic. While in the Air Force, John earned the Good Conduct Medal. After being honorably discharged from the Air Force in 1964, John attended the University of California, Berkeley where he graduated with a Master of Criminology degree.

John's Criminology degree kickstarted a long and illustrious career in forensic science. He worked as a Deputy Sheriff-Criminalist (firearm and toolmark examiner) and later Chief of the Contra Costa County Sheriff Office's Forensic Services Division (crime laboratory) in Martinez, CA, where he served for a total of 26 years, beginning in 1967. In 2008, he rejoined the laboratory as a contract firearm and toolmark examiner for another 11 years. In between these periods, he worked for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) laboratory in Walnut Creek, CA as a firearm and toolmark examiner for 15 years. In 1991, he attended and graduated from the FBI's National Academy (Session 164), a high honor for law enforcement officers. Throughout his career, John worked on many high-profile criminal cases; however, he was most proud of his work on two separate cases for the Innocence Project, where his expertise helped secure the release of Patrick Pursley (who had spent 25 years in prison) and Bryan Foshay (who had spent 9 years in prison) following their wrongful convictions for murder based on misleading forensic evidence. The Pursley case was the first in the United States to allow post-conviction firearms testing.

John was an Emeritus Member of the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD), a Life Member of the California Association of Criminalists (CAC), a Distinguished member of The Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) and was a provisional member of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS) for 21 years and a member of the California Association of Crime Laboratory Directors (CACLD) for 14 years. He was active on various committees within ASCLD, CAC, and AFTE, especially in the area of ethics codes and their enforcement. He also authored or co-authored over 30 scientific journal articles and other publications during his career, as well as taught numerous classes and workshops on the subjects of crime scene investigation and firearm and toolmark examination. Along the way, he mentored countless professionals in the United States and abroad who found their callings in forensic science and law enforcement.

In 1958, John married his high school classmate Lois Murdock (née Reuter). During their 34-year marriage, they had two sons, John and Ted. In 1993, John married Donna Murdock (née Hyde). They shared 13 years of marriage and remained close friends until his passing.

John was an avid collector of antiques, including phonographs, records, clocks, microscopes, and period art.

John is survived by his son John (Carrie) and grandchildren Devon, Benjamin, Ainsley, and Timothy; son Ted (Amy) and grandchildren Van and Eve; and brother Robert (Dawn). He was predeceased by his parents John and Lela and his sister Donna (William) Savory.