Sam R. Murphee
Agency patch
Deputy Sheriff

Sam R. Murphee

Felonious
End of Watch January 1, 1882
Age 27
The Vigil Panel 7 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Deputy Murphee was shot and killed by three inmates at the jail during an escape attempt. Deputy Murphee was shot as he ran down the stairs in the jail. The three inmates, two brothers and a cousin, escaped from the jail but were later shot by a citizen posse.

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 129th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never dimishes respect, not even 139 years.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya mom of fallen officer Larry Lasater January 1st, 2011

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-6486DDD4
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

144 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Murphee served with the Young County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Graham community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Sheriff's Office
Location Graham, Young County, TX
Platform Identity ycso.young.tx.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch January 1, 1882
Age 27
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Cause Detail Gunfire
Weapon Handgun

Deputy Sheriff Sam R. Murphee 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 TX, 1,461 of 2,422 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.3% of this state's fallen. That is 60.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Young County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Young County Sheriff's Office
7
of 7 officers
100% Felonious
TX — Statewide
1,461
of 2,422 officers
60.3% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Sam R. Murphee's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Sam R. Murphee Compares

Age at Death
27
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Sam R. Murphee is highlighted in Jan.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Sam R. Murphee was killed by handgun.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909