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Incident
Patrolman Joseph McMurray was shot and killed after responding to a house where an intoxicated man had just shot and killed his wife. When Patrolman McMurray arrived the doors and windows were boarded up. Patrolman McMurray broke a panel from the front door and attempted to enter the house, but was shot and killed by the suspect before he could. Other officers arrived and arrested the suspect. Patrolman McMurray had rescued the suspect from drowning three years earlier. The 40-year-old suspect was convicted of second degree murder and first degree murder and sentenced to life in prison on April 12, 1905. He was denied parole on September 18, 1935. Patrolman McMurray had served with the agency for 11 years.
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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.
Patrolman McMurray gave the Brookline Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Brookline community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman McMurray.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Brookline Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 199 officers killed feloniously in MA, 42.4% of the 469 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1904, 2 officers in MA were killed feloniously, the 24th heaviest of 107 years on record. The heaviest was 1908, with 6.
In 1904, 83 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 78th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1904, 83 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 85th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 45. Of the 195 killed feloniously in MA whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 52.5; the middle age was 42. Joseph had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 11 years.
Joseph was 45. 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. Joseph had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 45. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
October holds 10.6% of these deaths in MA, more than any other month. Mondays: 19.1%.
October holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
October holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Brookline Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 42.4% of all 469 deaths in MA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 27.6% 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 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Brookline Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 58-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Brookline Police Department are honored on badge.nw.