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Incident
Officer William Murphy was shot and killed at approximately 0200 hours after stopping a speeding vehicle on Broad Street near Conti Street. The vehicle was later found in Picayune, Mississippi, and turned out to be stolen. Three weeks later a tip led to the arrest of the 23-year-old gunman. The suspect was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. He was granted a new trial and again sentenced to death. He was granted a third trial and this time was sentenced to life on April 6, 1931. He was paroled on February 8, 1946.
Survivors
Officer Murphy 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.
Officer Murphy served with the Mobile Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Mobile community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Mobile Police Department has lost 23 officers; 18 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 405 officers killed feloniously in AL, 63% of the 643 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1929, 1 officer at Mobile Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1929, 6 officers in AL were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 131 years on record. The heaviest was 1918, with 10.
In 1929, 205 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 12th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1929, 206 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 30. Of the 17 killed feloniously at Mobile Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 50; the middle age was 36.
William was 30. Of the 344 killed feloniously in AL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 49; the middle age was 40.
William was 30. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38.
William was 30. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
October holds 11.1% of these deaths at Mobile Police Department; June holds the most, 22.2%. Fridays: 22.2%.
October holds 8.6% of these deaths in AL; September holds the most, 9.9%. Fridays: 14.6%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 78.3% of all 23 deaths at Mobile Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63% of all 643 deaths in AL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 23.5% 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 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Mobile Police Department has 23 officers remembered here, William among them.
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James Phillips Jul 12, 1864
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Jeremiah Lynch Jun 3, 1872
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Edward McGrath Morris
Apr 1, 1901
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Charles Haggerty
Dec 30, 1903
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James J. Shaw
Dec 21, 1924
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Christopher M. Dean
Jan 22, 1926
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William Murphy
Oct 18, 1929
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Edward DeFord
Oct 31, 1935
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Cody Bettis
Aug 3, 1938
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Ollie Mason
Jun 15, 1943
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Pierce Lee Reeves
Sep 24, 1944
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Earl Royce Williams
Jun 24, 1968
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Joseph Pickens Brunson, Jr.
May 15, 1975
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Henry Johnny Booth
Aug 14, 1979
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Julius Norman Schulte
Apr 24, 1985
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Douglas Emil Kountz, Jr.
May 2, 1992
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Owen Patrick McClinton
Dec 13, 1996
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Rufus Earle Brown
Mar 23, 1997
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Matthew Alan Thompson
Feb 12, 2004
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Brandon Nykori Sigler
Jun 2, 2009
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Steven Caserlos Dion Green, Sr.
Feb 3, 2012
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Justin Taylor Billa
Feb 20, 2018
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Sean Paul Tuder
Jan 20, 2019
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 27-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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