Roll of Honor
Incident
Detective John C. Murphy, 33, gave his life on September 18, 1927. Murphy, who had just made the rank of detective just two months prior to his death, was responding to a burglary alarm at the Oliver Hotel. Murphy and other officers entered the darkened hotel lobby and took up various positions to prevent the robbers' escape. As the search began, Officer Schomig, near the staircase, heard two shots ring out, and immediately returned fire at the top of the stairs. A voice cried out, and the exchange of gunfire ceased. The first shots were fired by the hotel owner, who mistook Detective Murphy as one of the robbers. Detective Murphy left a wife and infant son. He was described as one of the cleanest, squarest, and most courageous men on the force.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E19C95C3- Stewardship
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Detective Murphy gave the Joliet Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Joliet 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 John C. 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 97,756 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 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Joliet Police Department, 5 of 8 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 62.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How John C. Murphy Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. Murphy is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John C. Murphy was killed by handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
7 officers from Joliet Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
