William F. Murphy

Peoria Police Dept. — Peoria, IL

Felonious

End of Watch June 23, 1903

Age 37

The Vigil Panel 18 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 14

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: 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.
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

Department Peoria Police Dept.

Location Peoria, IL

Platform Identity ppd.peoria.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch June 23, 1903

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Executed in 1903

Detective William F. 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 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Peoria Police Dept., 9 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60% of this agency's fallen.

Peoria Police Dept.

of 15 officers

60% Felonious

IL — Statewide

842

of 1,318 officers

63.9% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious