Yavapai County Sheriff's Office, Arizona
End of Watch Sunday, December 20, 1885
Add to My HeroesJohn M. Murphy
Deputy Sheriff John Murphy was shot and killed in Walnut Creek by man he was questioning about the theft of a gold watch.
The man had previously murdered a prospector and thought that was why Deputy Murphy was coming to question him. He saw the deputy approaching, hid, and then shot him in the back.
The suspect then buried Deputy Murphy's body under his cabin and fled the area. The suspect's wife reported the murder to the county sheriff. The subject was later caught, convicted, and hanged on February 5th, 1886.
Deputy Murphy was interred in Citizens Cemetery in Prescott, Arizona.
Bio
- Age 40
- Tour Not available
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Hanged in 1886
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 Reflections"Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."
Matthew 5:9
Marshal Chris Di Gerolamo
Federal Air Marshal Service
December 20, 2011
Recent LODD Deaths
Deputy Sheriff Tim Jordan
Bossier Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: January 21, 2026
Agent Aníbal Morales Aponte
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: January 13, 2026
Zone Sergeant Steven W. Greene
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 24, 2025
Sergeant Frederick W. Scheidt, Jr.
New York State Police, NY
EOW: August 13, 2025
Trooper Mark A. Ondus
New York State Police, NY
EOW: October 19, 2025
Police Officer Elijah Garretson
Copperas Cove Police Department, TX
EOW: January 11, 2026
Master Police Officer Donald Richard Gotthardt, Jr.
Fairfax County Police Department, VA
EOW: October 16, 2025
Police Officer Terry L. Bennett
Metropolitan Police Department, DC
EOW: January 7, 2026
Police Officer Stephen LaPorta
Uxbridge Police Department, MA
EOW: January 7, 2026

