Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Samuel Murphy was shot and killed by the brother of a man he had arrested earlier in the day for being drunk in public.
The arrestee's brother kicked in the door of the city jail and shot Chief Murphy in the chest with a rifle, killing him. The man turned himself in the following the day. He was convicted of Chief Murphy's murder and subsequently sentenced to life in prison.
Chief Murphy had served with the Weeksbury Police Department for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and several children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-6972FC8B- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Chief of Police Murphy gave the Weeksbury Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Weeksbury community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Samuel John Murphy is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Weeksbury Police Department, 3 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Samuel John Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How Samuel John Murphy Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Samuel John Murphy is highlighted in Jan.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Samuel John Murphy was killed by rifle.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Weeksbury Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
