Roll of Honor
Incident
Deputy Chief of Police William Murphy was shot and killed by a former officer who ambushed him as he ate dinner at a local restaurant near the intersection of Preston Street and Main Street. Deputy Chief of Police Murphy, who was on duty as Night Chief, had just finished eating when the suspect entered and shot him. The suspect was apprehended but later acquitted due to a lack of witnesses.
Survivors
Deputy Chief of Police Murphy served for 21 years and was survived by his wife and three children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-9073C90D- 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
21 years. You could have gone home.
Deputy Chief of Police Murphy gave the Houston Police Department 21 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Houston community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Chief of Police Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Chief of Police William E. 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 TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Houston Police Department, 84 of 117 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 71.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William E. Murphy's cause is highlighted.
How William E. Murphy Compares
Offender Outcome
Acquitted
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William E. Murphy is highlighted in Apr.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William E. Murphy was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
116 officers from Houston Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
