Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace always and know that your service and sacrifice will never, ever be forgotten by your law enforcement brethren.

Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo
Delaware State Police (Retired)

September 20, 2020

I'm getting confused....my grandmother Eleanor Murphy Schmitz had a brother Chicago PD detective Jerry E. Murphy who was killed line of duty (https://www.chicagocop.com/fallen-officers/line-of-duty-deaths/pg/20/). I believe he was her brother and was shot a few city blocks away and within minutes there were 10 officers at her house to tell her. Also, Jere "the wise" Murphy was her relative and he gave her his old detective shield when he made Chief. He came from Montana to be my Dad's confirmation sponsor....I remember hearing that. But Jere must have been an uncle to her because I'm sure she would not have two brothers with similar/same name... Jerry and Jeremiah. I saw my brother Fred's post and that's what confused me...I think Jere was her uncle not her brother.

Susan Schmitz Liput
not sure

March 16, 2019

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 77th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. You will always be remembered and revered. You must be proud that your family has continued your legacy of protecting and serving.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

September 20, 2012

There are two pictures of JJ Murphy in "Butte's Memory Book" It would be nice to see one here. I grew up in Butte in the late 60's, early 70's.

Brian McNary, Ret.
Chief, Hailey, Id. PD

August 6, 2012

Although my great-grandfather died 21 years prior to my birth, "Jerry the Wise" remembrances/stories/newspaper clippings kept alive memories of his many years of valiant service and continue to enliven/elevate our family history. This Thanksgiving (2008) my mother (Patricia Murphy Derian)showed me the ancient photo of my grandfather Harp Murphy and Jerry presenting a shamrock to my just-Christened mother in 1931 (?); the men tower (both at least 6'4") over my diminutive (3 year old) mom. The original sham remains preserved in the photo case.
My older brother Mike Derian proudly wore my great-grandfather's copper and silver turn-of-the-century badge during his swearing in ceremony to begin his career with the Washington, D.C. police department.
Thanks so much for providing our family the opportunity to post this brief/strongly heartfelt remembrance of our heroic Chief Jerry Murphy; he died in the line of duty in service to a community he dearly loved and protected his entire adult life.
Our family thanks and remains united with all of the families of the beloved and never forgotten Noble Fallen.

T Craig Derian MD
great-grandson of Chief Murphy

November 29, 2008

CHIEF MURPHY, THANKS FOR YOUR 43 YEARS OF SERVICE TO YOUR DEPARTMENT AND COUNTRY. YOU HAVE SERVED WELL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE AND SACRIFICE. A HERO FOR SURE. MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.

CHIEF RONNIE WATFORD-RET.
JEFFERSON POLICE DEPT,S.C.

September 20, 2007

Jere Murphy was my great uncle. My grandmother, Eleanor Murphy was his sister. Eleanor married Frederick m. Schmitz Badge #173, who was also killed in the line of duty in Chicago many years ago. (ODMP CPD)
I had always heard great stories about Jere "the wise" Murphy from my father, Lt Richard Schmitz CPD (deceased).
We visited The National Historic Register in Butte with my sons a few years ago. He was still considered one of there finest and even today high school students in Butte still write papers about him, as well as being listed in a few Butte historic books.
I would like to contact the author of the first post, his grandson Micheal Derian, if you would pass my email to him please.

Fred Schmitz

June 6, 2007

I’ve heard stories about you all of my life, your generosity, gentleness, a willingness to fight for what was right and of how big you were, 6’5” 250 pounds, hell of a man in the late 1800’s. Recruited from the Texas Rangers by the owner of the Anaconda Copper Company to be the Chief of Police in Butte Mt in 1893 and killed in 1935 with 42 years of continuous service. About how when a copper miners daughter was kidnapped and taken across the border into Canada and held for ransom, that you went by yourself and captured the kidnapper, later hung, and returned the miners daughter safely to her family. The stories are endless and are told by your son Jere Murphy my grandfather and his daughter, my mother, Patricia Murphy Derian. They speak to a legacy of social responsibility you left us with. Your granddaughter Patt changed the face of this country due to her civil rights work in Mississippi during the late 50’s and 60’s and later helped ignite a global movement of Human Rights that lives today.

So just know that every time I get into my scout car I think about how great a street cop you were and hope I can not only do as good a job in my community as you did in yours but that I can live up to the legacy you left us to complete.

Michael S. Derian Badge # 3116 MPDC

Ofc Michael Derian
MPDC My Great Grandfather

March 19, 2007

God bless you for your service and sacrifice.

DE
St. Louis City Police

July 4, 2005