Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Joseph McMurray was shot and killed after responding to a house where an intoxicated man had just shot and killed his wife. When Patrolman McMurray arrived the doors and windows were boarded up. Patrolman McMurray broke a panel from the front door and attempted to enter the house, but was shot and killed by the suspect before he could. Other officers arrived and arrested the suspect. Patrolman McMurray had rescued the suspect from drowning three years earlier. The 40-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on April 12, 1905. He was denied parole on September 18, 1935. Patrolman McMurray had served with the agency for 11 years.
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- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MA-CEB156E5- Stewardship
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- 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.
Patrolman McMurray gave the Brookline Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brookline community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McMurray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Joseph McMurray 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 MA, 199 of 469 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.4% of this state's fallen. That is 11.8 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Brookline Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph McMurray's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph McMurray Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph McMurray is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph McMurray was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Brookline Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
