Gerald C. Murphy
Agency patch
Probationary Patrolman

Gerald C. Murphy

Felonious
End of Watch October 22, 1970
Age 21
Tour of Duty 6 mo
Badge 16043
The Vigil Panel 107 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Probationary Patrolman Gerald Murphy was shot and killed while off duty and walking home on the Lower East Side when three men attempted to rob him. They attacked him, got his revolver, and shot him as he drew his gun. They fled in a taxi as witnesses got the license plate number. The three well-known troublemakers, 17, 26, and 26, were apprehended a short time later. One had Officer Murphy's service revolver. One suspect, 26, was convicted of manslaughter and sent to prison. He was paroled in 1978. Officer Murphy had served with the New York City Police Department for six months and was assigned to the 9th Precinct. He wore his father's badge, who had been promoted to sergeant a year earlier.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-NY-FFAFD73C
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.
Probationary Patrolman Murphy served with the New York City Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Probationary Patrolman Murphy.

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

Agency

Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 22, 1970
Tour of Duty 6 mo
Age 21
Badge Number 16043
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Officer's weapon
Offender Paroled in 1978

Probationary Patrolman Gerald C. 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 NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department
382
of 1,237 officers
30.9% Felonious
NY — Statewide
754
of 2,147 officers
35.1% Felonious
Nationwide
17,623
of 32,508 officers
54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Gerald C. Murphy's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
17,623 (54.2%)
Accident
10,088 (31%)
Illness
2,974 (9.1%)
Cardiac
1,306 (4%)
Undetermined
260 (0.8%)
Suicide
256 (0.8%)
vehicular
1 (0%)

How Gerald C. Murphy Compares

Age at End of Watch
21
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
0.5
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Paroled in 1978

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Gerald C. Murphy is highlighted in Oct.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,517
May
1,505
Jun
1,443
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,516
Sep
1,553
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Gerald C. Murphy was killed by officer's weapon.

Gun; Unknown type
5,083
Handgun
2,077
Shotgun
922
Officer's handgun
909
Automobile; Alcohol involved
530
Rifle
518

Incident Location