William Murphy

Mobile Police Department — Mobile, AL

Felonious

End of Watch October 18, 1929

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 58 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 22

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew William. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Department Mobile Police Department

Location Mobile, AL

Platform Identity mpd.mobile.al.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 18, 1929

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Paroled in 1946

Officer William 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 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 8.8 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Mobile Police Department

of 23 officers

78.3% Felonious

AL — Statewide

405

of 643 officers

63% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious