Michael Murphy

Lexington Police Department — Lexington, KY

Felonious

End of Watch November 5, 1907

The Vigil Panel 53 · Column 2 · Line 14 ›

Gender Male

Incident Media Service The Sacrifice Memorials 1 Department 11

Incident

Officer Murphy was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man who was causing a disturbance at a polling place near High Street and Broadway on Election Day. The man, who was running for councilman, was screaming about election fraud as Officer Murphy attempted to arrest him. Another officer came to assist Officer Murphy, and at the same time the man's son came to his father's aid. It is unclear as to exactly what happened next, but a gunfight resulted as all four drew their pistols. Officer Murphy and the son were killed. The father and the other officer were severely wounded.

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Last updated: August 2, 2026

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Officer Murphy served with the Lexington Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Lexington community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Murphy.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Lexington Police Department

Type Police Department

Location Lexington, Fayette County, KY

Platform Identity lpd.fayette.ky.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 5, 1907

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Michael is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

Compare against

Time

In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States

When

November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.

By month

By day of the week

III

How

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.

Every cause

Weapons recorded