Crime & Safety

Retirement Ceremony Honors Lt. Brian Murphy

The Oak Creek Police Department held a retirement ceremony Friday for Lt. Brian Murphy, who survived 12 gunshots during the Sikh temple attack.

Brian Murphy's last shift will forever be his legacy in most people's minds. 

But the Oak Creek police lieutenant put in 21 years worth of shifts prior to Aug. 5, 2012, when he arrived at the Oak Creek Sikh temple and took 12 bullets from a gunman who had just killed six people and wounded three others.

His career and accomplishments were remembered Friday during a retirement ceremony at the police station. Murphy, who suffered numerous wounds in the shooting, retired effective June 12.

At times choking back tears, Murphy thanked the city of Oak Creek for "letting me be an officer with the city" and reflected on the shooting and its aftermath.

"You learn what you're made of," Murphy said. "What you learn more than anything is you're much more capable than you think you are. You're much more able to do what you think you can't."

Police Chief John Edwards said he was thrilled Murphy was able to have a retirement ceremony.

"That we can stand here, have a conversation with him, shake his hand and wish him well ... is amazing," Edwards said.

"I'm ecstatic that I'm able to do that."

Before coming to Oak Creek, Murphy served in the Marine Corps from 1980-85, working at embassies in Afghanistan and Thailand. He was also a security officer for the United Nations from 1985-90.

After a brief stint with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Oak Creek hired Murphy on April 15, 1991.

Murphy, whose grandfather, uncle and brother were New York City cops, went onto a distinguished career with the department. He served on units for drug enforcement, emergency responses, evidence tech and homeland security, and received numerous awards and citations along the way.

But he became known around the world after his actions at the temple last summer.

The first officer at the scene, Murphy confronted white supremacist Wade Michael Page in the parking lot. Page fired a bullet that struck Murphy in the neck, then another that knocked his gun out of his hand. Murphy survived a total of 12 bullets, with three more hitting his protective vest. 

The terror on that otherwise serene Sunday morning ended when the second responding officer, Sam Lenda, downed Page with a rifle shot from about 60 yards away. Page then took his own life.  

Murphy's last 10 months have been a whirlwind, with trips to the White House, the State of the Union and countless other honors bestowed upon him. 

"I've never been more honored in my life than I have over the past 10 months," Murphy said. "It is a very humbling experience."

He also thanked members of the Sikh community, about a dozen of which attended the ceremony. 

"I got involved with a community that has been nothing short of amazing, has been exceptionally gracious," he said, "I've met friends that I can't express into words properly."


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