Hope in the Midst of Tragedy
At 9:02 am on April 19, 1995, a truck packed with explosives was detonated outside the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, leaving 168 people dead, more than 680 injured. Until the September 11, 2001 attacks, the Oklahoma City bombing was the deadliest terrorist attack in the history of the United States, and remains the deadliest incident of domestic terrorism in the country's history.
On that day, Kevin McCullough, an EMSA EMT and police officer, was one of the first responders on the scene. In the video below with News 9's Ashley Holden, McCullough recounts the story as he visits the Oklahoma City National Memorial Museum for the first time in over a decade.
But McCullough's story offers a true glimmer of hope, even in the midst of profound tragedy. While he was responding to the site, his wife was giving birth to their fourth child, Jordan. He and his wife, Kathy, tell that story in the video below.
In the midst of horror, hope. In the midst of death, life.
We remember all of those whose lives were impacted by the bombing, especially those who paid the ultimate price. We recognize and deeply respect those, like Kevin McCullough, who acted with great courage—moving toward the brokenness and danger to help those in great need. And we remember that even in the midst of the world's worst, God is present, offering glimmers of life and hope.
Kevin McCullough is a student in Randall's Christian Ministry—Professional Studies program. He has also been a speaker at our annual Management and Ethics Conference.
McCullough has served in law enforcement for over 38 years. His experiences include Field Training Officer, Emergency Management, LEDT Instructor, EMT, Emergency Response Team member, Criminal Investigator, Motorcycle Instructor, Rescue Diver, Volunteer Firefighter and Police Chief. He has an extensive background as an advanced law enforcement instructor and holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Professionals’ Certification.
McCullough has a wide variety of interests, having served as a worship leader, pastor, motorcycle ministry director, football coach, musician, and on the Board of Directors for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He currently serves as a worship team member at Eastwood Baptist Church, MWC. McCullough remains active in law enforcement serving as a Reserve Special Agent and Chaplain for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and was recently inducted into the Hall of Fame for City and Town Officials.
