Video of late Marine returned to dad

GOBLES, Mich. (WOOD) - Stolen video of a Marine who died in a car crash has been returned to his father.

In September 2011, Gregory Courtney died in the wreck only a half-mile from his father's Allegan County home. He had just finished a tour with the US Marines.

His father, Joseph Courtney, was left with video and photos of his son -- images he treasured. But in November 2012, Joseph Courtney's home was broken into and his camcorder and camera, both of which had images of his son on them, were stolen.

"The hardest part for me at that particular time was that day when I pulled up and saw first my garage door kicked in. ...As I kept going around, then I noticed the camera was missing. That was the worst part," Joseph Courtney told 24 Hour News 8 Wednesday. "I was angry, hurt. I was just lost with that part."

After three months, Courtney told 24 Hour News 8 Wednesday, he had given up hope of getting the videos and photos back.

"I was getting to the point where it's never going to happen. I'm not going to see it no more," said Courtney. "Most of the time, people take the tapes out and throw them on the side of the road or they pawn them off."

In the absence of the videos and photos of his son, he tried hard to keep an image of Greg in his mind.

"I just kept trying to rewind things in my mind and remember and remember," said Courtney.

While Courtney's hope waned, authorities continued their investigation.

Allegan County Sheriff's Deputy Cory Harris followed leads and managed to locate some of the stolen property, according to a Wednesday release from the sheriff's office.

"The sheriff's department called me out of the clear blue sky in the day, and he was telling me, 'Well, we've got your camera,'" recalled Courtney.

He said he is very grateful to Deputy Harris.

"My understanding was that as soon as he got involved in it, he just continued to push. He wanted to know more. ...He kept following up on leads, and he just kept going. The detective told  me he was just right into it," said Courtney. "When he walked in with that camera, I didn't even know the gentleman, I had to give him a hug."

Recovered were a video camera, home videos and Greg Courtney's Marine duty pack, along with other items. Those items have been returned to Joseph Courtney.

"One of the tapes that happened to be in the case, he actually pulled out and says, 'The Courtney Reunion.' As soon as he said that I started bawling like a baby. I knew he was for real, because it was in that case," said Courtney.

He said he's thrilled to have the videos returned.

"I probably watched them three times since last night. That's when I actually got the camera back," said Courtney Wednesday.

The videos, he said, help reinforce his connection to his son.

"We're always close, but it just makes that connection even better and stronger. Just having that back is some of the best memories you can even have. It cannot be replaced," said Courtney.

In an interview with 24 Hour News 8 in November, Courtney pleaded with the burglars to return the items and said he would not ask any questions. He received nationwide support, but the items were not returned.

On Wednesday, Courtney said the media attention may have saved some of the items from being discarded or sold.

"One of the officers told me one of the individuals made a statement that the reason they still had it is because it was broadcasted all over," said Courtney. "Between you guys and everyone that was involved, it put a scare in them, which is good, because they couldn't take it nowhere and do nothing with it. So it was awesome for me."

But some of the stolen items haven't been found.

"There's still a digital camera he had on the USS Boxer back in 2009 that's still gone," said Courtney. "The officers, and the way things are going, believe things are going to show up."

Courtney said after getting back the camcorder, he's hopeful, too.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the sheriff's office.

"There's an arrest, and there's an arrest and they are still investigating," said Courtney. "They told me that the people they have involved in it are still doing some talking and they are still finding out other information."