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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Gary Murphy was shot and killed after responding to a report of a woman firing a handgun outside of her home on Muir Avenue in Knollwood. The 51-year-old woman was upset that children were playing on a nearby school playground and fired her gun. As Deputy Murphy and another deputy attempted to disarm the woman, they were both shot, and Deputy Murphy was fatally wounded. In June of 1977, the suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at the Elgin Mental Health Center. She had a release hearing in 1985, but her release was denied after she made the statement that she was still a danger to herself and others. Deputy Murphy was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Murphy gave the Lake County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waukegan community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gary Dean Murphy served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lake County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
Gary is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
Gary is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Gary is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 7 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 33rd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gary was 29. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 29. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gary was 29. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gary had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Lake County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 28.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Lake County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Gary among them.
Where
Military Service
Gary Dean Murphy served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit Gary Dean Murphy’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Lake County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
