Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Mart Murphy was shot and killed by a suspect he was attempting to arrest for bootlegging in Springfield, Tennessee. When he and a local constable knocked on the door the suspect opened it and shot Sheriff Murphy in the stomach with a shotgun. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was paroled May 15, 1950. Sheriff Murphy had served with the Robertson County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, child, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-FF2F2E8A- 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.
Sheriff Murphy gave the Robertson County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff J. Mart 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Robertson County Sheriff's Office, 1 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 50% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. J. Mart Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How J. Mart Murphy Compares
Offender Outcome
Paroled in 1950
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. J. Mart Murphy is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. J. Mart Murphy was killed by shotgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Robertson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
