Columbus Police Department, Georgia
End of Watch Saturday, December 26, 1874
Add to My HeroesMatthew W. Murphy
Chief Matthew Murphy was shot and killed as he and several Columbus police officers attempted to arrest two brothers on Crawford Street near the Springer Opera House for using obscene language. As the officers talked with the two, one of the men suddenly pulled a gun but was disarmed by one of the officers. The gun was handed to Chief Murphy but the man suddenly pulled a second gun from his coat. Chief Murphy and the man both fired at the same time and Chief Murphy was struck in the chest.
The chief's shot missed the suspect. The other officers fired at the fleeing suspects, striking the shooter in the back. The two were arrested and the wounded suspect died a short time later. The remaining suspect was later hanged for his involvement in the incident.
At the time of the incident the Columbus Police Department did not have an acting chief. Chief Murphy, who had also served in the Confederate Army, was a marshal for the Muscogee County Marshal's Office. That office was responsible for overseeing the operations of the police department, and Chief Murphy was assigned as the City Marshal for Columbus.
Bio
- Age 32
- Tour 10 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Shot and killed
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsRest in Peace Sir
Anrae G Godley-Cooper
U.S. Army Military Police
July 18, 2020
Recent LODD Deaths
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024
Lieutenant Michael Hoosock
Onondaga County Sheriff's Office, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024
Sergeant William Marty Jackson, II
Winchester Police Department, KY
EOW: April 14, 2024
Police Officer Ross Bartlett
Ceresco Police Department, NE
EOW: April 12, 2024
Chief of Police Steven Allen Singer
Lake Lafayette Police Department, MO
EOW: April 8, 2024
Correctional Sergeant Andrew John Faught
Illinois Department of Corrections, IL
EOW: April 8, 2024
Police Officer Joseph McKinney
Memphis Police Department, TN
EOW: April 12, 2024