[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 197 (Tuesday, December 20, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2326]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       HONORING PATRICK V. MURPHY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 20, 2011

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me in honoring Patrick V. Murphy, an unheralded 
leader in law enforcement and an early advocate for community policing, 
for his distinguished service as the first public safety director for 
the District of Columbia overseeing both the police and fire 
departments during turbulent times, As well for his work in New York, 
Connecticut, and Detroit.
  Patrick Murphy served as the District's first public safety director, 
transforming both the police and fire departments during his tenure. He 
is most well-known here for how he handled the historic rioting that 
took place in April 1968 in the aftermath of the assassination of Dr. 
Martin Luther King Jr. The rioting here was as destructive as anywhere 
in the county, but Patrick Murphy used sound judgment while our 
nation's capital was in turmoil. Murphy said violence begets violence, 
ordering his officers not to shoot looters and rioters during the 
riots. Murphy said that he would rather resign than order the shootings 
of looters. While our city was experiencing unfathomable chaos and 
wanted justice, Murphy dispersed the mobs of residents gently, and with 
as few arrests as possible. Because of his efforts and that decision, 
fewer people were killed in the District of Columbia than in cities 
that had less widespread riots.
  In less trying times, Murphy transformed how his officers interacted 
with District residents, establishing the ``Cop on the Block'' program, 
which allowed police officers to get to know personally the residents 
they served. This program would serve as a model nationwide as many 
cities turned to (community policing) tactics.
  Patrick Murphy, the son of a police officer, was born and raised in 
Brooklyn, New York. Before Patrick joined the Brooklyn Police 
Department in 1945, he was a Navy Bomber pilot in World War II. After 
the war, he came back home and decided to follow in his brothers' and 
father's footsteps and became a beat cop in the Red Hook District of 
Brooklyn. Patrick rose quickly through the ranks, becoming deputy 
inspector and later deputy chief, all while still attending college. 
Patrick moved to Washington, D.C., in 1965, during a time when race 
relations between police officers and residents were reaching a boiling 
point. He was first appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson to the 
Office of Law Enforcement Assistance and later took the helm as the 
District's first public safety director, overseeing the local fire and 
police departments. He was a nationally recognized force in policing, 
and after serving the District, went on to become the police 
commissioner in Detroit and New York City.
  In addition to his stellar career, Patrick Murphy was a wonderful 
husband to his wife, Martha E. Murphy; supportive father of eight, 
Gerard, Patrick Jr., Kevin, Paul, Mark, Sallie, Eileen, and Anne; and 
grandfather of 21.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask the House to join me in honoring Patrick V. Murphy 
for his accomplishments in law enforcement and his dedication to 
justice. Law enforcement in the United States is better because of his 
service.

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