Incident
Chief Murphy was killed in a struggle with a man he was attempting to arrest. Chief Murphy was attempting to subdue a man with a gun at the Montana Power Company when he struck his head on the marble floor. Chief Murphy died as a result of his injuries. The suspect was only convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Survivors
Chief Murphy had served with the Butte Police Department for 42 years and was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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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
42 years. You could have gone home.
Chief of Police Murphy gave the Butte Police Department 42 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Butte community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Butte Police Department has lost 14 officers; 10 of them killed feloniously.
Jeremiah is one of 93 officers killed feloniously in MT, 65.5% of the 142 remembered there.
Jeremiah is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Jeremiah 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 1935, 2 officers at Butte Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 6 officers in MT were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1935, 154 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 25th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1935, 156 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Jeremiah was 63. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Butte Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 52; the middle age was 39. Jeremiah had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 1.7 years.
Jeremiah was 63. Of the 81 killed feloniously in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 47; the middle age was 39. Jeremiah had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Jeremiah was 63. 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. Jeremiah had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Jeremiah was 63. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Jeremiah had served 42 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 20% of these deaths at Butte Police Department; March holds the most, 20%. Fridays: 20%.
September holds 6.5% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 15.1%. Fridays: 17.2%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 71.4% of all 14 deaths at Butte Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 10% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 65.5% of all 142 deaths in MT, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 4.3% 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 person, in 2% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 1.8% of these deaths.
His people
Butte Police Department has 14 officers remembered here, Jeremiah among them.
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William F. Jordan Jun 24, 1892
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Dennis W. Daly Jul 4, 1894
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Frederick Kranbeck Jan 15, 1895
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Fred A. Parlin Mar 18, 1896
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Joseph A. Freshman
Sep 23, 1906
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Ivan W. Lincoln Mar 30, 1915
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James H. Pace Jul 27, 1915
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Bart J. McCarthy Jul 22, 1916
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William George Heaney Nov 22, 1918
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Dennis Joseph Murphy
Feb 18, 1919
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Joseph E. Sage Apr 8, 1925
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Jeremiah Joseph Murphy Sep 20, 1935
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Thomas J. O'Neill
Dec 25, 1935
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Nicholas Aleksich Feb 28, 1937
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-W
Others Who Wore This Badge
13 officers from Butte Police Department are honored on badge.nw.


