Michael Murphy

Lexington Police Department — Lexington, KY

Felonious

End of Watch November 5, 1907

The Vigil Panel 22 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 11

Incident

Officer Murphy was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was causing a disturbance at a polling place near High Street and Broadway on Election Day. The man, who was running for councilman, was screaming about election fraud as Officer Murphy attempted to arrest him. Another officer came to assist Officer Murphy, and at the same time the man's son came to his father's aid. It is unclear as to exactly what happened next, but a gunfight resulted as all four drew their pistols. Officer Murphy and the son were killed. The father and the other officer were severely wounded.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-KY-535DBF3D
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.
Officer Murphy served with the Lexington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Murphy.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Lexington Police Department

Location Lexington, KY

Platform Identity lpd.fayette.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 5, 1907

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender One shot and killed

Officer Michael 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Lexington Police Department, 8 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.

Lexington Police Department

of 12 officers

66.7% Felonious

KY — Statewide

755

of 983 officers

76.8% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious