JCSO Mourns Loss of Munza

The Jackson County Sheriffs’ Office announced the passing of one of their own in a statement on Tuesday:

Today, JCSO lost not only a valuable coworker but a brother. Many words have been used to describe Deputy Barry Munza the last few days and over his lifetime. A man’s man. A cops cop. Father. Husband. Pawpaw. Partner. Friend. He was all that and more to so many. And we will miss him. His shoes are ones that will simply never be filled.

Whether at his post at the Courthouse door manning the security station or out on the road as a patrol deputy, there was never any doubt he was doing the job because it was his calling. He loved to tell stories from his early days in law enforcement, a career that began at Scottsboro P.D. in the 70s.

He left law enforcement in 1990 to pursue an over-the-road trucking career that lasted until 2007, after which he returned to Ider Police until joining JCSO in December of 2009. He remained here at JCSO, steadfast and loyal until his death on April 12th, 2022. He wouldn’t have had it any other way. “I’ll be here until they run me off”, he would say.

He never met a stranger and loved to tell the ones he came into contact with about his life experiences. War stories from Vietnam. Cop stories. His knowledge and friendship helped mold many young deputies. His quick wit and sarcasm are always there to make those around him laugh. His love for his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren could not be rivaled. And thankfully that love extended to his work family also.

Deputy Munza wore many hats and filled many roles here at JCSO, from Patrol Deputy Sergeant, then later Lieutenant to his last role as a Courthouse Security Deputy.

In 2012, Deputy Munza became the recipient of a liver transplant, thanks to the selfless act of organ donation by a young man named Tyreez Thompson. He loved to tell that story. The two families became friends and maintain that friendship today. The transplant allowed Deputy Munza to return to the job he loved and afforded him several more years with his friends and family.

There was never a dull moment. None of us knew what would come next. One thing we were certain of was this. Barry would be there. He was along for the ride, in it for the “long” haul with his home and work-family. Definitely, a life well-lived, one with laughs, hard work, and devotion.

“The man is a success who has lived well, loved much, and laughed often.” — Robert Louis Stevenson