Lt. Brian Murphy to Retire

Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy, who survived 12 gunshots during the Aug. 5 Sikh temple attack, will retire from the Oak Creek Police Department, according to Patch's media partners at WISN 12 News.

Murphy submitted his retirement letter to Police Chief John Edwards Wednesday morning, according to the report. The retirement is effective June 12.

Murphy has been on leave from the department since the shooting. He suffered serious injuries to his throat, thumb and leg, among other areas. He told Patch in a December interview that his wounds generally have healed as much as they ever will.

His actions that day drew attention around the world—he helped stop gunman Wade Michael Page's assault on the temple, then waived officers off and told them to help people inside the temple.

Since then, he has been invited to sit in First Lady Michelle Obama's box during the State of the Union address and was honored last week in a White House ceremony.

He will also be recognized Friday as co-Oak Creek Citizen of the Year along with Officer Sam Lenda, the second responding officer who fired the shot that downed Page. The gunman then died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Murphy told WISN he's not sure what his retirement plans will include, but he has thought about teaching.