Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Murphy was killed when he was beaten with a blunt object while attempting to arrest three brothers in Lexington Market. The brothers were acting in a disorderly manner and Officer Murphy warned them to calm down. When he did so they became abusive towards the officer, who then attempted to arrest one of the three. The other two brothers then attacked Officer Murphy and beat him clubs. Other officers came to the scene and arrested the three men. Officer Murphy at first did not appear injured but began going into convulsions once he returned to the station house. All three brothers were arrested and charged with his murder. Two received sentences of 18 years and the third was sentenced to 15 years in the Maryland State Penitentiary. Officer Murphy had served with the Baltimore City Police Department for 3 years.
In Our Keeping
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BO-US-MD-1573240E- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
156 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Murphy gave the Baltimore City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the Baltimore community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer James 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 MD, 195 of 377 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 51.7% of this state's fallen. That is 51.7 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Baltimore Police Department, 80 of 151 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. James Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How James Murphy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. James Murphy is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. James Murphy was killed by blunt object.
Others Who Wore This Badge
150 officers from Baltimore Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
