Officer T. Murphy
How or when did you decide that serving your community, in such a potentially dangerous way, was what you wanted to do?
I knew ever since I was a child that I wanted to be a police officer. One person who really inspired me was Ofc Katie Flood, who was my elementary SRO. She was the first female officer I had ever seen, so it was pretty incredible for me to see that.
How has your life been affected since the death of George Floyd, the subsequent protests/riots and the call to defund police across the country?
Directly following the death of George Floyd was very difficult due to the riots and hatred spewed across the media. However, our community in Lincoln began to show the support they have for us by sending us cards, donating food, and placing signs in their yard supporting police. Overall, my life as a police officer hasn’t been impacted too much, as it has for many across the country.
What would you tell anyone considering a career path in Law Enforcement, knowing what you have experienced so far in your career?
I would tell people that being a police officer is more of a calling than a job. If someone is interested in becoming an officer, they need to have a servant’s heart and be very well aware they risk their life everyday. Being an officer is not “just something to do”; it’s a large part of my life.
