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Incident
Patrolman Murphy succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on June 14th, 1953, when he was shot in the shoulder while questioning a driver he had stopped.
The suspect had stolen the car in Hawthorne and had robbed a Tavern in Amery of $400. Although wounded, Patrolman Murphy chased the suspect into Hudson where the man shot and killed Patrolman Clarence Erickson, of the Hudson Police Department. The suspect shot Patrolman Erickson as he fled from his vehicle at a roadblock. Other officers shot and killed the suspect.
Patrolman Murphy had to undergo several surgeries. He suffered a stroke after one of the surgeries and never recovered.
Patrolman Murphy served with the St. Croix County Traffic Police which was later absorbed into the St. Croix County Sheriff's Office.
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Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Murphy gave the St. Croix County Traffic Police 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Hudson community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Lee is the only officer of St. Croix County Traffic Police remembered here.
Lee is one of 159 officers killed feloniously in WI, 50% of the 318 remembered there.
Lee is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lee is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1955, 1 officer in WI was killed feloniously, the 40th heaviest of 89 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 11.
In 1955, 53 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 135th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1955, 53 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 139th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lee was 61. Of the 141 killed feloniously in WI whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 48; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6.2 years.
Lee was 61. 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. Lee had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lee was 61. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lee had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 9.4% of these deaths in WI; November holds the most, 11.9%. Thursdays: 7.5%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at St. Croix County Traffic Police. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 318 deaths in WI, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19.5% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from St. Croix County Traffic Police are honored on badge.nw.