Roll of Honor

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Policeman

George Murphy

Martins Ferry Police Department — Martins Ferry, OH

Felonious

End of Watch September 4, 1893

Age 39

The Vigil Panel 12 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1

Incident

Policeman George Murphy was shot and killed at the Cook and Whitby Circus by a circus employee.

The subject was having a confrontation with a bystander when he drew a pistol and shot Policeman Murphy three times as the officer attempted to arrest him.

The man was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to nine years in prison December 7th, 1893.

Policeman Murphy was survived by his wife, six children, and parents.

Survivors

Policeman Murphy was survived by his wife, six children, and parents.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-OH-A8B9C847
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

133 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Policeman Murphy served with the Martins Ferry Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Martins Ferry community. Gone but never to be forgotten.

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

Agency

Department Martins Ferry Police Department

Location Martins Ferry, OH

Platform Identity mfpd.belmont.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 4, 1893

Age 39

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Cause Detail Gunfire

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender Sentenced to 9 years

Policeman George 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

At Martins Ferry Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.

Martins Ferry Police Department

of 2 officers

100% Felonious

OH — Statewide

572

of 991 officers

57.7% 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. George 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 George Murphy Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 9 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George Murphy is highlighted in Sep.

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. George Murphy was killed by handgun; pistol.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518

Others Who Wore This Badge

1 officer from Martins Ferry Police Department are honored on badge.nw.