Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Murphy was shot and killed while investigating the sounds of gunfire near 19th Street and Baird Street. He was off duty and in the area when he heard the shots and went to investigate. When he arrived at the scene he located a shooting victim and was told that the shooter, the victim's neighbor, had just entered his house. When Patrolman Murphy went to the suspect's door and identified himself the man shot him, fatally wounding him. The suspect was apprehended but had his case dismissed on the technicality that Patrolman Murphy had no right to enter his home. Patrolman Murphy had been with the agency for six years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-44B60D22- 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.
Patrolman Murphy gave the Louisville Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Louisville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William 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 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 76.8 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Louisville Police Department, 51 of 91 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 56% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How William Murphy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William Murphy is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Murphy was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
90 officers from Louisville Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
