Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Gary Murphy was shot and killed after responding to a report of a woman firing a handgun outside of her home on Muir Avenue in Knollwood. The 51-year-old woman was upset that children were playing on a nearby school playground and fired her gun. As Deputy Murphy and another deputy attempted to disarm the woman, they were both shot, and Deputy Murphy was fatally wounded. In June of 1977, the suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at the Elgin Mental Health Center. She had a release hearing in 1985, but her release was denied after she made the statement that she was still a danger to herself and others. Deputy Murphy was a United States Army Vietnam War veteran and had served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for eight years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-4FA7889E- 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 Gary. 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Murphy gave the Lake County Sheriff's Office 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Waukegan community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Gary Dean Murphy served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Deputy Sheriff Gary Dean 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gary Dean Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How Gary Dean Murphy Compares
Offender Outcome
Not guilty by reason of insanity
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gary Dean Murphy is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gary Dean Murphy was killed by handgun.