Lt. Brian Murphy of the Oak Creek, Wisconsin, Police Department was the first police officer to arrive on the scene the day a white supremacist entered a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, shot and killed six people, and wounded four others. The gunman shot Lieutenant Murphy fifteen times at close range, critically wounding him, as he was aiding two victims and calling for an ambulance.
Other officers arrived and tried to help the injured lieutenant, but he insisted that they go into the temple and help others first. He was in the hospital for seventeen days. His recuperative powers are strong, and he's at home regaining his strength and wholeness.
This heroic man grew up in Windsor Terrace and attended Immaculate Heart of Mary (IHM) parish and school. In a few weeks, his friends in the IHM Alumni Class of 1975 will host a benefit to help him with the cost of his rehabilitation and recovery.
The benefit will be held in Windsor Terrace at Rhythm and Booze (1674 10th Avenue, between Prospect Avenue and Sherman Street) on Saturday, October 20th, from 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Tickets cost $50 each. The price includes food and drink. If you can attend, please RSVP to Michael at mecsec4 @ aol.com.
Anyone who isn't able to attend is still welcome to make a donation to help Lieutenant Murphy. Make your check payable to Rhythm & Booze ( note that it's for the Lt. Brian Murphy Fundraiser) and mail it to Maureen Petrucci-Wertling, 230 Abingdon Avenue, Staten Island ,NY 10308.
Facebook users have set up six different pages to thank and honor Lieutenant Murphy. One of the pages, "Wisconsin Sikh Temple Cop Brian Murphy Thank you Page," has 21, 719 likes.