Lieutenant Murphy | Star #183

Lieutenant Edward Thomas Murphy, Star #183, aged 45 years, was a 20 year, 1 month, 17 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the Detective Bureau.

On February 9, 1928, at 1:40 p.m., Lieutenant Edward T. Murphy and Patrolman Eugene Keegan went to the 3rd floor apartment of a gunman, Rose Elliott, located at 131 East 35th Street, who was wanted for murder.

The tale of events began earlier in the day. Elliott, had murdered two employees, James Ellis and Charles Miller, at the Omaha Packing Company plant located at 2320 South Halsted Street. Elliott had been an employee at the plant until he was fired on October 6, 1927 after being involved in a fight with Ellis. Elliott held a grudge over the fight for four months. With his anger boiling over he waited outside the plant for James Ellis. When Ellis showed up, Elliot confronted him and a verbal altercation ensued. With the argument getting heated, Elliott produced a large caliber semi-automatic firearm and shot Ellis. Elliot also shot Charles Miller, another plant employee, who was with Elliot at the time of the altercation. Elliott then fled to the home of his brother, Nathan where he was located by police.

Upon arrival at the apartment, Lieutenant Murphy and Officer Keegan were met by three other officers. The three assisting officers covered the entrances as Lieutenant Murphy and Officer Keegan knocked on the door. Elliott’s brother opened the door and said that his brother was not in the home, but rolled his eyes signaling the officers toward a closed door inside the apartment. Officer Murphy thrust open the door and Elliott immediately opened fire. Both Lieutenant Murphy and Officer Kegan sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were killed almost instantly. Hearing the gunshots, the three assisting officers rushed into the apartment and concentrated their fire on Rose Elliot. Rose Elliott was struck multiple times and died on scene. Nathan Elliott, Rose’s brother, was shot accidentally by one of the three officers when he stepped into the crossfire. Nathan Elliott died from his gunshot wounds the next day on February 10, 1928.

Lieutenant Murphy was waked at his residence located at 7817 South Constance Avenue. His funeral mass was held at Our Lady of Peace Parish Church located at 7851 South Jeffrey Boulevard. He was laid to rest on February 13, 1928 in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, 6001 West 111th Street, Alsip, Illinois.

Lieutenant Edward Thomas Murphy, born June 28, 1882, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on December 23, 1907 and issued Star # Unknown. On August 29, 1910, he was issued Patrolman Star #2186. On November 8, 1913, he was promoted to the rank of 2nd Class Detective Sergeant, becoming effective on November 10, 1913 and his title being officially changed by order of the city council on January 11, 1915. On April 1, 1914, he was issued Detective Sergeant Star # Unknown. On June 28, 1921, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant and issued Star #904 on September 22, 1921. On February 25, 1922, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant and issued Star #183. He earned 16 Credible Mentions during his career.

Lieutenant Murphy was survived by his wife, Agnes (nee Lisowski); daughter, Loretta Agnes; parents: Margaret (nee Kinnerk) and Michael and siblings: Agnes Wean, Charles F., John J., Leo J. and Thomas J .

Incident recorded under Chicago Police Historical Homicide Database, Case #10498.