Roll of Honor
Robert G. Murray
Incident
Special Officer Robert Murray was shot and killed four miles northeast of Council Bluffs, Iowa, while he and several other local and federal officers raided a farmhouse being used by bootleggers and rail thieves. Officer Murray was guarding five men in one room and a Council Bluffs officer was guarding a woman and a man in a second room. The woman was able to slip a revolver to the man who opened fire, killing Officer Murray and wounding the Council Bluffs officer. One of the men was shot and killed and all of the others were eventually apprehended. The woman was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to 25 years. The man killed was her husband. She was paroled on December 29, 1931. Two other suspects convicted of murder were still in prison at the time of her parole. Another, convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 8 years, died in prison before his term ended. Special Officer Murray had served with the agency for six years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents, brother, and sister and is buried at Masonic Cemetery in Des Moines, Iowa.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-RR-22CD1C83- 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.
Special Officer Murray gave the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer Murray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer Robert G. Murray 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 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 9.7 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department, 14 of 18 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 77.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Robert G. Murray's cause is highlighted.
How Robert G. Murray Compares
Offender Outcome
All arrested
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Robert G. Murray is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Robert G. Murray was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
17 officers from Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
