Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective William Murphy was shot and killed on the Roosevelt Road elevated train platform while arresting a robbery suspect. Detective Murphy spotted the suspect and was in the process of placing him under arrest when a man drew a revolver and shot Detective Murphy in the chest. Sixty detectives from the homicide and robbery squads swarmed the area. A report was received that the gunman robbed a citizen of his vehicle and forced him to drive to the intersection of Dearborn and Madison. The gunman was arrested at a later date, convicted, and executed for the murder in December of 1958. Detective Murphy was assigned to the Central District at 11th and State.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-0A83E145- 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 Chicago Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago 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 J. 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 Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William J. Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How William J. Murphy Compares
Offender Outcome
Executed in 1956
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William J. Murphy is highlighted in Aug.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William J. Murphy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
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