Detective William J. Murphy

William J. Murphy

Detective William Murphy was shot and killed on the Roosevelt Road elevated train platform while arresting a robbery suspect.

Detective Murphy spotted the suspect and was in the process of placing him under arrest when a man drew a revolver and shot Detective Murphy in the chest.

Sixty detectives from the homicide and robbery squads swarmed the area. A report was received that the gunman robbed a citizen of his vehicle and forced him to drive to the intersection of Dearborn and Madison.

The gunman was arrested at a later date, convicted, and executed for the murder in December of 1958.

Detective Murphy was assigned to the Central District at 11th and State. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.