Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William Murphy was shot and killed as he and another officer were attempting to arrest a coal thief near Eaton Street and Water Street. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On December 11th, 1903, he was executed by hanging at the Peoria County Jail.
Survivors
Detective Murphy was survived by his parents and two brothers.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-C2BD4FD3- 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.
Detective Murphy served with the Peoria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Detective William F. 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 IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Peoria Police Department, 9 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William F. Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How William F. Murphy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William F. Murphy is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William F. Murphy was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Peoria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
