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Incident
Detective William Murphy was shot and killed as he and another officer were attempting to arrest a coal thief near Eaton Street and Water Street. The man was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. On December 11th, 1903, he was executed by hanging at the Peoria County Jail.
Survivors
Detective Murphy was survived by his parents and two brothers.
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.
Detective Murphy served with the Peoria Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Peoria community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Detective Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Peoria Police Department has lost 15 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 842 officers killed feloniously in IL, 63.9% of the 1,318 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 1903, 1 officer at Peoria Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1903, 10 officers in IL were killed feloniously, the 22nd heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1924, with 22.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 37. Of the 7 killed feloniously at Peoria Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 36.5 and 44; the middle age was 37.
William was 37. Of the 762 killed feloniously in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 45; the middle age was 38.
William was 37. 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 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
June holds 11.1% of these deaths at Peoria Police Department; November holds the most, 33.3%. Tuesdays: 22.2%.
June holds 9% of these deaths in IL; July holds the most, 10.3%. Tuesdays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 15 deaths at Peoria Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 55.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 63.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 30.6% 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
Peoria Police Department has 15 officers remembered here, William among them.
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Theophil Joseph Seyller
Nov 3, 1894
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William F. Murphy
Jun 23, 1903
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Edward Peter Barrett
Oct 12, 1907
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James Skinner
Jul 13, 1912
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Joseph H. Enos
Jan 13, 1916
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Norman Gray
Jan 24, 1916
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Samuel A. Moffatt
Nov 28, 1917
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Franklin P. Carr
Oct 5, 1918
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James H. Walker
Jul 7, 1927
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Arthur F. Aiello
Aug 29, 1929
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Robert Emmett Moran
Nov 15, 1933
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John D. Cusson
Aug 26, 1947
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Norval J. Wright
Sep 17, 1953
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Donan James Faulkner, Jr.
Sep 20, 2001
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Cristy Sue Tindall
Dec 30, 2004
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 21-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Peoria Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
