Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer William Murphy was shot and killed at approximately 0200 hours after stopping a speeding vehicle on Broad Street near Conti Street. The vehicle was later found in Picayune, Mississippi, and turned out to be stolen. Three weeks later a tip led to the arrest of the 23-year-old gunman. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial and again sentenced to death. He was granted a third trial and this time was sentenced to life on April 6, 1931. He was paroled on February 8, 1946.
Survivors
Officer Murphy was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-AL-A205D8C2- 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.
Officer Murphy served with the Mobile Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer 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 AL, 405 of 643 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63% of this state's fallen. That is 63 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Mobile Police Department, 18 of 23 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 78.3% 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 Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William Murphy was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
22 officers from Mobile Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
