You can’t set limits on yourself—you never really know what you’re capable of until you face what’s in front of you. The only way forward is to take on each challenge as it comes and stay open to where the next opportunity might lead.

Just like that, my career as a cop was over. An on-duty injury that seemed manageable at first turned into something with lasting effects. Being a police officer had been my dream for as long as I could remember—my dad was a Police Officer, and I always looked up to him. I had finally made it, but after just 11 years, it was done. 

My twenties were chaotic—working in restaurants, construction, even insurance—trying to find direction while navigating fatherhood at 22 and struggling with addiction. Thankfully, in 2001 I joined Alcoholics Anonymous and started piecing my life back together. My progress led me to finally become a Police Officer in 2006. It was about having a future, stability, and a deeper sense of purpose. And I loved the job.

But recovery is rarely a straight road. In 2009, everything fell apart. I hit rock bottom emotionally, mentally, spiritually. At that point, I was destroying my life and didn’t care. But Kelly, who was my ex-girlfriend at the time, didn’t give up on me. She saw the worst of it and still stood by me. That kind of support changed everything. Once again, I picked myself back up and committed to sobriety—this time for good. A few years later, she became my wife. 

Sobriety brought clarity and a complete shift in priorities. We got married in 2012 and started our family. For the first time, I had a clear vision for the future. But in 2015, the injury happened, and in 2017, I officially retired from the NYPD. I had to figure out what was next and how I was going to provide for my family.

In 2018, we made the move to Myrtle Beach. It had always been part of our retirement plan, but we realized there was no reason to wait anymore. We packed up, left Long Island behind, and started fresh. We brought our three sons to a brand-new community and my daughter was soon to follow. I continued my career in real estate in a place where we didn’t know a single person. 

After the move, I missed the camaraderie of law enforcement, as many retired officers do. One day, I walked into a local cigar lounge where I met the owner, who happened to also be a retired NYPD cop. Together, we started Smoking Shields South Carolina, a nonprofit supporting officers and veterans. It gave me back a sense of purpose. Through fundraisers, community events, and partnerships with national groups, we’ve been able to give back while rebuilding the kind of brotherhood I thought I’d lost. 

Faith has become a huge part of this new chapter, too. My wife and I started attending church to give our kids a sense of community, but I quickly realized it was exactly what I had been missing. Going through the 12 steps, there are plenty of elements rooted in faith, but I didn’t fully connect with that or understand it until this point. It gave me a clearer sense of purpose, helped me slow down, and reminded me of what really matters.

My faith guides how I live, how I lead my family, and how I show up in my career. Whether it’s helping a client start fresh, supporting a fellow officer through retirement, coaching my sons’ flag football or Little League teams, or simply being present in my community—I’m focused on doing the kind of work that fills my cup and serves others. 

After everything I’ve been through, I’ve learned to focus on what really matters—leading with purpose, staying grounded in my values, and using my experiences to support and guide others in meaningful ways.

After my career in law enforcement, getting into real estate was a big change—but both share the same goal: serving people. What I enjoy most is helping families through one of the biggest decisions of their lives. Many of my clients are transplants from the Northeast looking to start fresh and embrace this community. I understand the emotions and stress that come with relocating, and I make it my job to be the steady hand guiding them through it.

With a background in construction, I bring added knowledge to the process, especially for those building or renovating. I also know the neighborhoods, school districts, and what different areas offer based on a family’s needs or lifestyle. Whether someone’s moving from out of state or across town, I make sure they feel confident every step of the way. 

As a team lead now, I want to set high standards for service and how we treat people. My focus is on earning trust, showing up with consistency, and being a reliable resource long after the deal is done. Most of my business comes from referrals, which reflects how I work—putting people first, always. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Keith McGurk

REALTOR®

Direct Call/Text (843) 920-3688

Mobile (843) 655-1666 

keith@nextchapterteam.net

nextchapterteamrealty.com