Texas Parks and Wildlife Department - Law Enforcement Division, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, December 8, 1963
Add to My HeroesJohn David Murphree
Game Warden John Murphree was shot and killed by a 16-year-old boy who was illegally hunting ducks in Jasper County.
Warden Murphree came upon the boy and three others hunting in a flooded field five miles south of Mauriceville the boy shot him twice as he approached them. Warden Murphree suffered shotgun wounds to his abdomen and the back of his head.
The boy who shot him was arrested and charged with murder. In a written statement he said when he saw Warden Murphree he started to flee, tripped, and the shotgun accidentally went off twice. The other men 18, 28, and 38, were charged with game violations. The boy was convicted of murder with malice and sentenced to 2 years.
Warden Murphree was survived by his wife and three school age children. Warden Murphree had no insurance. The State of Texas agreed to pay his widow the amount of money that he would make in one year.
Bio
- Age 33
- Tour 8 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Shotgun
- Offender Sentenced to 2 years
Most Recent Reflection
View all 8 ReflectionsAccident: One shot maybe. But two???????
David Weeks
November 12, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sheriff Marylin Anjanette Mayo
St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office, LA
EOW: September 21, 2023

Police Officer Darrin McMichael
Arlington Police Department, TX
EOW: September 21, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Ryan Clinkunbroomer
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: September 16, 2023

Governmental Affairs Liaison Michael Elaine Griffin
Mississippi Department of Public Safety, MS
EOW: September 4, 2023

Police Officer Kevin Cram
Algona Police Department, IA
EOW: September 13, 2023

Deputy Sheriff II Auston Smith Reudelhuber
Forsyth County Sheriff's Office, NC
EOW: September 9, 2023

Detective Robert Garten
Hartford Police Department, CT
EOW: September 6, 2023

Deputy Sheriff Matthew Pierson
Shelby County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: August 29, 2023

Sheriff Robert Daniel Rodgers
Wilcox County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: August 29, 2023