It is with an unpleasant feeling that I post this. A fellow brother official was murdered by a thug robber while he was performing his work duties. Alvin Kinney, football official from Katy, Texas (Houston area) was performing his duties as a Brinks guard when 3 thugs robbed him as he was leaving the bank. He was shot and killed.
Alvin was an upcoming official whom I had pleasure of working with when he first came on. I worked youth football and SV with him. He pulled chains for our varsity crew a couple of times over the past year. This year as our chapter was going to 7 man mechanics I called Alvin to invite him to come on crew as a deep wing. He told me in earnest that he could not know if he could make it to stadium in time for pre games to commit right now to being on "varsity crew" because of his job. I told him that I would request him for chains or clocks for us then. A great person with always a smile on his face. Though I have been officiating for 17 years he made an impact on me through his personality and his overall character. Alvin - we'll be thinking of you guy. I ask that our officiating community keep his family in prayer at this difficult time.