Frank Joseph Murphy
Agency patch
Patrolman

Frank Joseph Murphy

Felonious
End of Watch August 8, 1926
Age 26
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 11063
The Vigil Panel 51 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Murphy was shot and killed when he attempted to stop a stolen vehicle in Brooklyn. Patrolman Murphy, on motorcycle patrol, spotted the stolen vehicle in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn and attempted to stop it. As Patrolman Murphy pursued the vehicle, one of the suspects in the vehicle opened fire at him. Patrolman Murphy was struck four times and thrown from his motorcycle. Patrolman Murphy was able to return fire from the ground, but the suspects escaped. Patrolman Murphy was taken to a hospital where he died from his wounds. New York detectives determined that three to four men were in the car. One, age 21, was apprehended and admitted he shot Patrolman Murphy. He was charged with Patrolman Murphy's murder. He implicated another, age 22, who was also in the car who was arrested and charged with Patrolman Murphy's murder. Both were also charged with the murder of a New York jeweler who was shot and killed a few days earlier. On November 6, 1926, the second suspect shot and killed himself after an unsuccessful attempt to escape from the Tombs Prison. Even though the police commissioner testified that the other suspect admitted that he shot and killed Patrolman Murphy and the jeweler the jury for unknown reasons did not believe him and the suspect was acquitted of both murders. In 1931 he was shot and killed by four men at a illegal liquor establishment in New York. Two others that were thought to have been in the car, but were never charged, did receive lengthy sentences for many other serious crimes. Patrolman Murphy had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was survived by his wife and three daughters. He was assigned to Motorcycle Squad 2, the present day Highway Patrol 2. Citizens of New York generously helped Patrolman Murphy's widow and his children so much that they never had to face financial problems.

Survivors

Patrolman Murphy had served with the New York City Police Department for three years and was survived by his wife and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

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August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Murphy gave the New York City Police Department 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murphy.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch August 8, 1926
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 26
Badge Number 11063
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Frank 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
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1926, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Frank was 26. 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. Frank had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

August holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.

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

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Frank among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Frank Joseph Murphy

New York City Police Department · End of Watch August 8, 1926

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 4-E

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