Michael Murtaugh
Agency patch
Patrolman

Michael Murtaugh

Chicago Police Department — Chicago, IL
Felonious
End of Watch October 11, 1924
Age 45
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Badge 2565
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Michael Murtaugh was shot and killed during a robbery investigation at the intersection of W 19th Street and S Leavitt Street. Patrolman Murtaugh observed a disturbance in the street and upon further investigation discovered the three offenders had just robbed a dry goods store. Patrolman Murtaugh confronted the men as they attempted to escape in an automobile. The subjects began to fire their weapons at Patrolman Murtaugh, fatally wounding him. On January 17, 1925, Patrolman Murtaugh's killer was convicted of murder and sentenced to life. Patrolman Murtaugh had served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and three children.

In Our Keeping

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Stewardship
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Added to badge.nw
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 Murtaugh gave the Chicago Police Department 18 years.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murtaugh.

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

Agency

Type Police Department
Location Chicago, Cook County, IL
Platform Identity cpd.cook.il.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 11, 1924
Tour of Duty 18 yrs
Age 45
Badge Number 2565
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Gun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 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 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Michael was 45. 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. Michael had served 18 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

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

When

October holds 7.9% 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

Chicago Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Michael among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Michael Murtaugh

Chicago Police Department · End of Watch October 11, 1924

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 6-E

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