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He was shot multiple times, but that didn't stop Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy from signaling fellow officers to continue rescuing victims at Sunday's deadly rampage at a Sikh temple in southern Wisconsin.
Oak Creek Police Department via AP
Lt. Brian Murphy has served the Oak Creek Police Department for over two decades.
Police say they got the initial call about the attack at 10:25 a.m. Sunday. Murphy, 51, was among the first authorities to arrive on scene where suspect Wade Michael Page allegedly killed six people. The temple is located in the suburb of Oak Creek, Wis. about 11 miles south of Milwaukee.
Murphy was ambushed when he stopped to help a victim, Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards told reporters Monday. He said that Murphy was shot eight to nine times with a handgun at close range. Though he was wearing a bullet-proof vest, Murphy was hit in his extremities and suffered a serious wound in his neck.
When officers went to check on Murphy, he signaled them to go into the temple to help other victims, Edwards said.
"He waved them off … and told them to go into temple to assist those in there," the police chief said.
Authorities in Wisconsin say the suspected gunman in the deadly shooting at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, Wade Michael Page, Â was the former leader of a neo-Nazi skinhead rock band.
The suspect was killed on the scene by another officer.
Murphy, a 21-year veteran of the Oak Creek Police Department, remained in critical condition on Monday in the hospital. He is expected to survive.
Oak Creek Mayor Stephen Scaffidi called Murphy's efforts "heroic actions in the line of fire."
"He helped to take down somebody that was intent on taking down lots and lots of people," Scaffidi told NBC News on Monday. "He thought about others before himself."
The mayor also said Murphy has been a part of the tactical squad for years and is the emergency management liaison for the city.
"I sat in a meeting with him three weeks ago and we talked about situations like this," Scaffidi said.
Former Oak Creek Police Chief Thomas Bauer told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel he is not surprised by Murphy's heroic actions.
"He's a highly distinguished police officer, highly decorated," Bauer told the Journal Sentinel.
Murphy had been one of three finalists for the police chief's job after Bauer retired, according to the Journal Sentinel.
"He was willing to step up and take on the additional responsibilities and duties and keep that position in-house," Bauer told the Journal Sentinel. "He was certainly well-qualified to take on that role."
On Monday, there was already a growing Facebook group of Sikhs expressing "extreme gratitude" to Murphy.
"We are thankful to ALL the first responders and organizations that helped our community yesterday, but feel a SPECIAL thanks needs to go out to Lt. Murphy who is in critical care," wrote group creator Seema Singh-Dulai.
New York-based human rights group Sikhs for Justice said they are pledging a $10,000 award to Murphy, the Journal Sentinel also reported.
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I'd be willing to bet Officer Murphy doesn't think of himself as a hero because he is well-trained and highly skilled police officer, especially in matters of a mass shooting. I'm just thankful there are men and women like him who are there when some crazy person goes on a shooting rampage against innocent people. In the future, if some coward wants to engage in a gun battle, do it one-on-one with someone who is experienced. This shooting fish in a barrel stuff is nothing but cowardice exemplified.
The mark of true hero - they don't think they are one.
^ worth repeating
And he IS NOT a useless, expendable, overpaid, budget busting, government employee. He is among the very best our country has to offer and a true Patriot.
Thank you Lt. Murphy for "running towards the gunfire" to save lives - - your community should be proud of you. As a retired wounded law enforcement officers - I know - that it takes courage to protect and serve our fellow citizens.
I have been in law enforcement for almost 12 years. I am NOT a hero because I am NOT a police officer. Despite the fact that there are some bad apples among every group of people that one can think of, I think that police officers are ALL Heros (our troops, firefighters and EMS workers too). When they go to work they don't ever know what they will encounter during the course of their day. They never know if when they leave their family and loved ones to go to work, if it will be the last time they will ever see them; but they put on their badge and strap on their gun and they go to work anyway. Contrary to popular belief, not all police officers are even paid well for what they do. I make more as a dispatcher than some officers do in a neighboring county
The adage says: A swallow doesn't make the summer or if you want to appear more pompous, a swallow doesn't the summer make. This heroic act is not going to erase this tragedy ever. Just like the many supposedly heoric acts on 9/11 are not going erased the fact it was an inside job. I can't say the same for this tragedy, but as with that other tragedy in Colorado, the clues were there, but nobody paid any attention to them. Also, we could also say that in this case, somebody missed the truth by not seeing it. White people with tattoos everywhere doesn't raise any eyebrows? White trash are as racist as sking heads, they just want to keep their scalps, but racismwise, they are one and the same. I do want to know how for tea partiers, republicans two black guys dressed as black panthers means that those guys are baack, a la Arnold, but seeing a white trash, tattooed racist tea partier armed with weapons going to Sihk temple doesn't raise a suspicion? Why this "Christian and democratic" nation gives all the benefit of a doubt to people who deserve it the least, but judge others worse than Christ by His fellow Jews. Besides, heroic or not, he was doing his job and for that he should be commended, but this heroic or not act is not going erase the evil we have become.
Either you forgot to take your meds, or your tinfoil hat is too tight.
You forgot the obvious, you can't handle the truth. Why you people can ever see the turth when is right in front of you? Are you that dumb, that zombie? Yes, to both questions. You're welcome!
Thank you, Officer Murphy, for a gallant job well done.
Very admirable actions on his part! Way to go! Here's to a speedy recovery!
Awesome example of the kind of selflessness that is common in our police officers, despite what the news will tell you. I hope this fine police officer makes a speedy and full recovery.
Usually I wont praise cops for doing the job they are paid to do. I also guess that's because there are so many bad cops out there. But in the instant case I feel this officer should be commended for his selflessness, bravery and concern for the citizens that he felt were at risk while at the time he did not know if he, himself, was mortally wounded. Now he's a true protector and server of the people and a model for other police officers. Officer Murphy, we are proud of you.
How does showing up for work, getting ambushed doing your job and taking 8-9 bullets make you a hero? He is a victim due to not evaluating the crime scene properly.
and you - sir - are obviously a non-law enforcement officer or if by chance are - would stand by and let citizens die due to your non-action - - idiot!!
JW... Crawl back under the rock from whence you came.
Jw spoken like a true coward that cannot give a person going beyond what is required of him his due. Now go back to your dangerous job of burger flipping watch out for those minor burns we wouldn't want you taking a week off to recover from them.
This cop wasn't of much help, he was taken out of action upon arrival. I've performed outstandingly well in military excercises, survived an ambush and tactically took out the two squads who initially pinned me down. Apparently, you folks think idiots flip burgers and live under rocks. Majority of civilians are Sheeple and depend on the police for protection. Six people died waiting for cops to protect them.
Wayback:
I'm not from the Northwest but lived there for over a decade. I truly learned the meaning of "Dumb as a mud fence." while I lived there, and I have to say you fit that to a T. Just Sayin
For every low life skunk like the Sikh Temple murderer, there are hudreds of thousands of people like officer Murphy who cared more about the people he came to help than himself. Despite all the madness, "God Bless America"
And yet another win for the NRA and right wing nut jobs everywhere. Shoot a cop, thats moral values. Just listen to the fascist.
I have personally been shot numerous times while wearing balistic armor, just having a vest on does'nt mean you don't end up with Broken Ribs, Punctured Lungs, Bruised Heart and yes even Death. This officer takes it to heart to serve and protect, that is more than eveident.. Some may want to remember that, the next time you need police assistance...Just Sayin
This country is just getting over the Colorado massacre a few weeks ago, and some madman takes a gun to a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, and opens fire on people? Officer Murphy is truly a hero, ambushed and shot multiple times, he motioned for his fellow police officers to help other victims inside before he was tended to near the site. Who knows how many lives he saved by offering to wait for assistance when he had a major gunshot wound, and is now on the critical list at a local hospital? It's so sad to see this country's decline and fall, but so heartwarming to see those who put themselves in the line of fire for others so fearlessly. Hip...Hip...Hooray Oak Creek Police Lt. Brian Murphy!!! You're a national hero!!!
So were the Aurora Colorado police. Thank you to all of you who put your lives on the line. Firefighters, too.
if you want to read the Sikh holy book in English go to
srigranth . org
I don't so no thank you and quit posting this repeatedly.
yes, shut up
another meaning for blue angels
police who know the right thing to do
makes me cry knowing there are good peeps out to protect us no matter the color of our skin, the religion we follow, or country we lived in before , or male or female
takes alot to make me happy and these police officers did an excellent job
boooooooooooooooooooom baby
you got to love em, its a big thing to me to have such peeps who would sacrafice themselves for us
god be with all police who let their talents shine as bright as the sun
gj
super good job
This guy is definitely an old school Irish cop. I was intimidated just by looking at his picture.
My God, it is comforting in this tragedy to know it could have been worse but for the strength, character, and integrity of this fine officer. Maybe we need to put 435 Brian Murphy's in the House and 100 of him in the Senate. Then there could be hope for America. Otherwise, we are heading off the cliff.
If anything good can be said about the gunman...it's that he won't require a trial. Unfortunately with our poor economy a lot of people are under pressure and it's easy to start blaming another group of people who are different than you when you are out of work or having hard times financially. I would be very surprised if the gun man turned out to be financially stable with a good career.
It's tragic that this kind of thing happens in our country, perhaps if there was more of a safety net for people when they fall on hard times people would not be so desperate or frustrated and less of this kind of thing would happen.
Hopefully Officer Murphy will be able to recover to be ambulatory and return to work or what ever he wishes to do. Public servants risk their lives on a daily basis so they deserve great respect and better pay than many actually get. Let this be a reminder of the risk they submit themselves to when they show up to work every day to protect citizens like you and me.
There are good cops and there are bad cops. This was truly a good cop who I hope is recognized for his bravery. So were the Aurora cops who responded to the theater shooting. They were brave as well.
Doing the Right thing is instilled in most of the human race, That does not mean being a hero. Not long ago a Trooper parked on the side of the road was rearended by a semi @ over 65 MPH. The people who saw it happen stopped and rushed into a burning vehicle, to save the Troppers life along with the driver of the truck who had hit him. NOT one of them considered themselves a HERO, they were doing what they knew to be right and responded.
See?
Not all police are racist-profiling-power-mad jerks.
Some of them actually care about the public at large and are willing to put total strangers ahead of themselves. This is a cop who would take a bullet to save an innocent life.
This Cop is a MAN! I don't care (AND NEITHER SHOULD ANYONE ELSE) what his heritage is. He did his very dangerous job apparently to the extreme. From the far end of the country, I thank you for your service to protect the people of all races, creeds and color in your home town. We pray for your full and speedy recovery.
Any man who protects others who are being violently assaulted and ambushed for no reason and with no means to protect themselves and is wounded or killed in the process deserves nothing but the utmost respect and appreciation. Being Irish, a Police Officer, or anything else has no bearing on the matter. Very few men in the world have what it takes to put themselves in the line of fire for people they do not know. Those that do deserve, at the very least, to be called exceptional.