Edward J. Murphy
Agency patch
Patrolman

Edward J. Murphy

Columbus Division of Police — Columbus, OH
Felonious
End of Watch May 11, 1935
Age 35
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
The Vigil Panel 69 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Edward Murphy was shot and killed as he and his partner responded to a burglary in progress at the Atlas Building on Long and High Streets in Columbus. During the exchange of gunfire, Patrolman Murphy was mortally wounded. His partner returned fire and shot the subject in the leg. The suspect was captured and put to death in the electric chair. Patrolman Murphy's partner, Patrolman John P. Sears, was killed when he fell from the same building while executing a search warrant the following year. Patrolman Murphy had served with the Columbus Division of Police for 13 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his father and siblings.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn6ejxb7egahb56vz6hh
Stewardship
Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Edward. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Murphy gave the Columbus Division of Police 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the Columbus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murphy.

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

Agency

Type Other
Location Columbus, Franklin County, OH
Platform Identity cdpd.franklin.oh.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch May 11, 1935
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Age 35
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Edward is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
  2. See the roll
Compare against
I

Time

In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Edward was 35. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Edward had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

May holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

Columbus Division of Police has 59 officers remembered here, Edward among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Edward J. Murphy

Columbus Division of Police · End of Watch May 11, 1935

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W

↑