The woman was upset children were playing on a nearby school playground and fired her gun. As Deputy Murphy and Deputy David Greene attempted to disarm the woman, they were both shot and Deputy Murphy was fatally wounded.

In June of 1977, the suspect was found not guilty by reason of insanity and committed at the Elgin Mental Health Center.

Deputy Murphy served with the Lake County Sheriff's Office for 8 years and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was survived by his wife and 2 children.