Prev
Incident
Sheriff Mart Murphy was shot and killed by a suspect he was attempting to arrest for bootlegging in Springfield, Tennessee. When he and a local constable knocked on the door the suspect opened it and shot Sheriff Murphy in the stomach with a shotgun. He succumbed to his wounds two days later. The suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. He was paroled May 15, 1950. Sheriff Murphy had served with the Robertson County Sheriff's Office for five years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, child, and brother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpmqq3c54nzhmn43b5rm- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew J.. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Murphy gave the Robertson County Sheriff's Office 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Springfield community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Robertson County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them killed feloniously.
J. is one of 498 officers killed feloniously in TN, 64.8% of the 769 remembered there.
J. is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
J. 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 1931, 12 officers in TN were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1931, 221 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 5th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1931, 222 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
J. was 44. Of the 449 killed feloniously in TN whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 50; the middle age was 41. J. had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
J. was 44. 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. J. had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
J. was 44. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. J. had served 5 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 8.8% of these deaths in TN; December holds the most, 10.2%. Thursdays: 12.7%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Robertson County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 64.8% of all 769 deaths in TN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was shotgun, in 12.7% 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
Robertson County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, J. among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Robertson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.