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Incident
Sergeant Mark Murphy was accidentally shot and killed by other officers while executing a narcotics search warrant on a residence. The officers had information that automatic weapons may have been present in the house. As the point man, Sergeant Murphy approached the house first on his hands and knees to place hydraulic jacks in the door to aid in a quick entry. As the jack expanded it cause a loud cracking noise which sounded like gunfire. Two members of the entry team behind Sergeant Muprhy, believing the team was under fire, opened fire. At the same time Sergeant Murphy started to stand and was struck by the gunfire and fatally wounded. Sergeant Murphy had served with the agency for approximately 10 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Sergeant Murphy gave the Prince George's County Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Palmer Park community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Murphy.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Prince George's County Police Department has lost 30 officers; 11 of them lost to accidents.
Mark is one of 141 officers lost to accidents in MD, 37.3% of the 378 remembered there.
Mark is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Mark is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.8% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1988, 1 officer at Prince George's County Police Department was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1988, 2 officers in MD were lost to accidents, the 12th heaviest of 88 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 6.
In 1988, 80 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1988, 84 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 48th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Mark was 35. Of the 11 lost to accidents at Prince George's County Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 26 and 36; the middle age was 27. Mark had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Mark was 35. Of the 133 lost to accidents in MD whose age is recorded, half were between 27 and 42; the middle age was 33. Mark had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 35. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Mark had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Mark was 35. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Mark had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 18.2% of these deaths at Prince George's County Police Department; March holds the most, 36.4%. Thursdays: 18.2%.
September holds 11.3% of these deaths in MD; October holds the most, 15.6%. Thursdays: 16.3%.
September holds 9.2% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Thursdays: 14%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 36.7% of all 30 deaths at Prince George's County Police Department, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 37.3% of all 378 deaths in MD, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.8% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Prince George's County Police Department has 30 officers remembered here, Mark among them.
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Edward Dennis Merson
Sep 1, 1937
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Charles F. Caldwell
Jun 12, 1948
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Alfred W. Steinat
May 2, 1963
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Joseph Kelly Brown, Sr.
Feb 19, 1966
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John William Leatherbury, Jr.
Mar 21, 1968
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Robert E. Yeszerski
Nov 30, 1968
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William W. Gullett, Jr.
Feb 16, 1969
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Carroll D. Garrison
Feb 20, 1973
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Albert Marshal Claggett, IV
Jun 26, 1978
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James Brian Swart
Jun 26, 1978
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Antonio Martinez Kelsey
Feb 2, 1980
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Raymond Hubbard
Feb 8, 1982
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Allan Dale Johnson
Dec 8, 1982
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Carlton X. Fletcher
Jun 12, 1983
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Richard J. Beavers
Nov 29, 1983
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Mark Kevin Murphy
Sep 1, 1988
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Harry Leroy Kinikin, Jr.
Jan 13, 1990
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Ryan Christopher Johnson, Sr.
Apr 22, 1992
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Roger Peck Fleming
Oct 27, 1992
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John Louis Bagileo
Feb 28, 1994
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John J. Novabilski
Apr 26, 1995
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Kilonzo Musili Masembwa
Nov 10, 2000
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Anthony Michael Walker
Nov 15, 2003
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Steven Francis Gaughan
Jun 21, 2005
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Richard Scott Findley
Jun 27, 2008
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Thomas Paul Jensen
Mar 9, 2010
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Adrian Antonio Morris
Aug 20, 2012
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Brennan Roger Rabain
Mar 7, 2015
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Jacai David Colson
Mar 13, 2016
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Mujahid Abdul Mumin Ramzziddin
Feb 21, 2018
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 17-E
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Others Who Wore This Badge
29 officers from Prince George's County Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
