SEARCY, Ark. (KTHV) -- Officer McGary left a mark on the City of Conway with his service to the police department, but he was born and raised in Searcy. And, that's where THV 11's Max Seigle learned more about the mark McGary left in his hometown.
High school baseball fields are often filled with great memories, and this week at Searcy High, they're remembering former first-baseman Will McGary, class of 2005.
"He played all four years of high school. He was a great competitor, a hard worker," Doc Watson said. He coached McGary all those years and remembers a player who could hit the ball. "He was a power-hitter, so he could leave the field a few times."
Watson said that McGary was also a player who could hold his team up.
"Any time we were in a close game, if any of the guys ever got down, he would be one of the first to come around and tell somebody else to pick his head up, to keep trying, not give up," Watson said.
Steve Rose coached McGary during his high school summers on the American Legion team in town.
"When he showed up, he was always ready to go, never drug in. You have some kids that come in, they are a little tired, [and] they had a bad day. Will, it was like he never had a bad day," Rose said. "Just one of those people that you enjoyed being around, that you would be proud to say that's my son."
"The guys really loved having him out here, and he was just a joy to coach," Watson said.
McGary is a memory these coaches won't forget, and a player these current guys have a lot to look up to.
Another one of the Searcy High coaches told us that some of McGary's former teammates came by the high school to pick up some of his old "Number 18" jerseys. They plan to have them signed by teammates and put on display during Wednesday's funeral.