Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Indiana Weapon: Handgun; .45 caliber Offender: Not available
Railroad Detective Harry Murphy was shot and killed while investigating tramps trespassing in an old caboose near the Southern Railway shops in Princeton, Indiana.
He heard someone inside the caboose shortly after midnight and began to investigate. As he climbed onto the caboose someone inside opened fire with a .45 caliber revolver, striking him in the chest and leg. The subject dropped the revolver and fled the scene. It is not know if if anyone was ever charged with his murder.
Detective Murphy had served with the Southern Railroad Police Department for approximately three years.
Survivors
He was survived by his mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-82DD620E- 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.
Railroad Detective Murphy gave the Southern Railway Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Railroad Detective Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Railroad Detective Harry S. Murphy is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,772 officers honored here.
In DC, 754 of 1,418 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.2% of this state's fallen. That is 53.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Southern Railway Police Department, 17 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 94.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Harry S. Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How Harry S. Murphy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Harry S. Murphy is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Harry S. Murphy was killed by handgun; .45 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Southern Railway Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
