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Incident
Patrolman Charlie Murphy suffered a fatal heart attack following a violent struggle with a drunk suspect on West Airline Avenue. During the struggle Patrolman Murphy suffered a severe cut above his eye. He was able to subdue the man and place him in the patrol car and then suffered the heart attack.
Survivors
Patrolman Murphy was survived by his wife and is buried in Hollywood Cemetery, Gastonia, North Carolina.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
NW-H91W-AKZQ-Fearlier record number BO-US-NC-B05044F1- Stewardship
- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Murphy served with the Gastonia Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Gastonia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Gastonia Police Department has lost 6 officers; 1 of them lost to cardiac events.
Charlie is one of 33 officers lost to cardiac events in NC, 5% of the 664 remembered there.
Charlie is one of 1,304 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,543 remembered there.
Charlie is one of 1,306 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.9% of the 33,910 remembered here.
33,910 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1944, 1 officer in NC was lost to cardiac events, the 5th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1967, with 2.
In 1944, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1944, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Charlie was 35. Of the 33 lost to cardiac events in NC whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 53; the middle age was 46.
Charlie was 35. Of the 1,246 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
Charlie was 35. Of the 1,248 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48.
When
August holds 12.1% of these deaths in NC; January holds the most, 15.2%. Tuesdays: 9.1%.
August holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 14%.
August holds 8% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Tuesdays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 16.7% of all 6 deaths at Gastonia Police Department, the 3rd most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 5% of all 664 deaths in NC, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,543 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.9% of all 33,910 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
His people
Gastonia Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Charlie among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 44-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Gastonia Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
