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John David Murphree
Incident
Game Warden John Murphree was shot and killed by a 16-year-old boy who was illegally hunting ducks in Jasper County.
Warden Murphree came upon the boy and three others hunting in a flooded field five miles south of Mauriceville the boy shot him twice as he approached them. Warden Murphree suffered shotgun wounds to his abdomen and the back of his head.
The boy who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. In a written statement he said when he saw Warden Murphree he started to flee, tripped, and the shotgun accidentally went off twice. The other men 18, 28, and 38, were charged with game violations. The boy was convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to 2 years.
Warden Murphree was survived by his wife and three school age children. Warden Murphree had no insurance. The State of Texas agreed to pay his widow the amount of money that he would make in one year.
Survivors
Warden Murphree was survived by his wife and three school age children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
Game Warden Murphree gave the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Austin community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Murphree.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division has lost 14 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
John is one of 1,461 officers killed feloniously in TX, 60.3% of the 2,422 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, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1963, 5 officers in TX were killed feloniously, the 117th heaviest of 180 years on record. The heaviest was 1928, with 19.
In 1963, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1963, 71 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 107th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 33. Of the 1,330 killed feloniously in TX whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 37. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 33. 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 had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 33. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 8 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 10.4% of these deaths in TX, more than any other month. Sundays: 16.2%.
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 28.6% of all 14 deaths at Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.3% of all 2,422 deaths in TX, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 7% 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 shotgun, in 7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 6.3% of these deaths.
His people
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division has 14 officers remembered here, John among them.
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John David Murphree
Dec 8, 1963
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Joseph Marshall Evans May 6, 1965
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Loyd Dean Gustin
Mar 25, 1968
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Ronnie L. Germany
Jul 29, 1973
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James Eugene Daughtrey
Dec 8, 1978
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James F. Birmingham
Oct 11, 1988
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William Barry Decker
May 26, 1990
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Franklin Bruce Hill
May 26, 1990
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Michael Charles Pauling
Aug 2, 2001
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Wesley Warren Wagstaff
Aug 5, 2003
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Justin Phillip Hurst
Mar 17, 2007
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Teyran Micah Patterson
May 30, 2007
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George Harold Whatley, Jr.
Oct 10, 2008
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Christopher Ray Wilson
Aug 26, 2021
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 60-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division are honored on badge.nw.
