Tuesday marked three years since a pillar of the Fairfield community was shot to death in front of his own home.

Now, police say it is time for someone to summon the courage to help put the killer in jail.  And no one has to know it was you who called.

The Victim:  Jimmy McMurrain, age 79

The Crime:  Killed on the morning of July 15, 2005

The Problem:  Police Chief Pat Mardis said suspects were identified, but the problem was finding enough evidence to ensure a murder charge would hold up in court.

The Solution:  The killer has likely confided in a family member or a friend.  While it might be difficult, those people need to assist police in serving justice.  Mardis encouraged anyone with information on who killed McMurrain to use Crime Stoppers as a way to provide an anonymous tip, "no matter how small you think it might be."

The Facts:  McMurrain was killed by a shotgun blast as he was leaving his home on 40th Place to open his AAA Lock and Key store, a routine he had followed every day for nearly 60 years.  Someone had to hear that blast.  The killer probably knew when McMurrain would leave his home.

The Evidence:  The killer had to be tall as the bullet entered McMurrain on a downward trajectory.  And McMurrain himself was fairly tall, meaning his killer probably stands out.

The Motive:  It might have been robbery.  McMurrain was known to carry a lot of cash.  He even carried two wallets - one for himself, the other for any would-be robbers.  He had been a victim of crime before.

The Moments After:  A passerby called police and reported seeing McMurrain lying on the ground.  Crime Stoppers needs that caller to call back.  Also, McMurrain's wallet was found down the street.  This was at a time of day when people were going to work.  Perhaps someone recalls seeing someone who was not local to the neighborhood fleeing the area.

The Need to Speak Up:  Come on.  If you know who did this, is it worth keeping other lives at risk?  If someone has killed once, there is nothing to stop them from killing again.  Mardis added, "You have a moral obligation to come forward.  Mr. McMurrain didn't deserve to die in that manner."

The Fear:  Police understand the fear of retaliation.  You don't want to be the next victim, so why speak up?  That's why Crime Stoppers is in place.  Your call remains anonymous.  Detectives keep no record of your identity.  Caller ID is never used, and calls are not recorded.  Code numbers are assigned to callers, and if an arrest is made based on a caller's tip, the caller uses that code number to claim a cash reward.  And Crime Stoppers cannot call you to court to testify.

The Reward:  The real reward, of course, is justice for Jimmy McMurrain.  But there are also at least three monetary rewards in this case.  Crime Stoppers has its own cash reward for information leading to an arrest.  Other agencies, including the state, have their own rewards upon the killer's conviction.

The Number:  Just call (205) 254-7777.  Crime Stoppers is ready to talk, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Also, encrypted tips can be submitted online by logging onto www.birminghamcrimestoppers.org and clicking on "Submit an Online Tip."

Think about it.  And make the right call.

Crime Stoppers is a partnership between local law enforcement, the Birmingham Regional Chamber of Commerce and ABC 33/40.  Together, our goal is to make our community a safer place to live and work.