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Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Murphy was shot and killed in Walnut Creek by man he was questioning about the theft of a gold watch. The man had previously murdered a prospector and thought that was why Deputy Murphy was coming to question him. He saw the deputy approaching, hid, and then shot him in the back. The suspect then buried Deputy Murphy's body under his cabin and fled the area. The suspect's wife reported the murder to the county sheriff. The subject was later caught, convicted, and hanged on February 5th, 1886. Deputy Murphy was interred in Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
141 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Deputy Sheriff Murphy served with the Yavapai County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Prescott community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has lost 6 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 204 officers killed feloniously in AZ, 61.8% of the 330 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1885, 1 officer at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1885, 3 officers in AZ were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 99 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 6.
In 1885, 62 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 121st heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1885, 66 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 40. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 51; the middle age was 50.
John was 40. Of the 186 killed feloniously in AZ whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 47; the middle age was 39.
John was 40. 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.
John was 40. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
December holds 16.7% of these deaths at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office; June holds the most, 33.3%. Sundays: 33.3%.
December holds 6.4% of these deaths in AZ; May holds the most, 13.2%. Sundays: 11.3%.
December holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
December holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 6 deaths at Yavapai County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was gun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.8% of all 330 deaths in AZ, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 28.9% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Yavapai County Sheriff's Office has 6 officers remembered here, John among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 49-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Yavapai County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
