Michael C. Murphy (New York politician)

Michael Cotter Murphy (March 7, 1839 – March 4, 1903) was an American politician from New York, and a recipient of the Medal of Honor during the American Civil War. He was the first New York City Police Commissioner.

Michael Cotter Murphy
1st New York City Police Commissioner
In office
February 22, 1901 – January 1, 1902
Appointed byRobert A. Van Wyck
Succeeded byJohn Nelson Partridge
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the New York County, 1st district
In office
January 1, 1867 – December 31, 1870
Preceded byWilliam Minor
Succeeded byMichael Madigan
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the New York County, 1st district
In office
January 1, 1881 – December 31, 1883
Preceded byJames Fitzgerald
Succeeded byPatrick H. Duffy
Member of the New York Senate
from the 5th district
In office
January 1, 1884 – December 31, 1889
Preceded byJohn G. Boyd
Succeeded byWilliam L. Brown
Personal details
Born(1839-03-07)March 7, 1839
Kilmallock, County Limerick, Ireland
DiedMarch 4, 1903(1903-03-04) (aged 63)
New York City, New York
Awards Medal of Honor
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Branch/service United States Army
Years of service1861 - 1865
RankLieutenant colonel
Unit 11th New York Infantry
170th New York Volunteer Infantry
Battles/warsAmerican Civil War

Biography

The family emigrated to the United States in 1848. He attended the common schools in Manhattan, New York City and then became a compositor.

Murphy was commissioned as a captain of the 11th New York Infantry (Fire Zouaves) in May 1861,[1] and served with the regiment until transferring to the 170th New York Infantry in July 1862. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 170th New York Infantry in February 1863.[2] For actions while commanding his regiment during the Battle of North Anna, he was later awarded the Medal of Honor. The following month, he was dismissed due to disability. In 1866, he was a general of the Fenian Army which prepared to take part in the Fenian raids on Canada.

Murphy was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York County, 1st D.) in 1867, 1868, 1869 and 1870. In 1870, he was charged with bigamy and was absent from the Legislature for most of the session.

He was again a member of the State Assembly in 1881, 1882 and 1883.

He was a member of the New York State Senate (5th D.) from 1884 to 1889, sitting in the 107th, 108th, 109th, 110th, 111th and 112th New York State Legislatures.

On March 3, 1898, Murphy was appointed by Mayor Robert A. van Wyck as Commissioner of Health of the City of New York,[3] a post which he held for nearly three years, until van Wyck appointed him the first New York City Police Commissioner on February 22, 1901.[4] He remained in office until January 1, 1902,[5] when he tendered his resignation to incoming Mayor Seth Low. Murphy was already in poor health, and could not eat any solid food. Instead, he was fed especially prepared liquid meals through a silver tube inserted into his stomach. Thus he was absent most of the time from his office, and appointed Ex-Chief of Police William Stephen Devery as First Deputy Police Commissioner to take care of the department during his absence.

He died on March 4, 1903, and was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York. Surviving him was his widow, Mary, with whom he had had no contact for more than 30 years.[6]

Medal of Honor citation
Medal of Honor

Rank and organization: Lieutenant Colonel, 170th New York Infantry. Place and date: At North Anna River, Va., 24 May 1864. Entered service at: New York, N.Y. Birth: Ireland Date of issue: 15 January 1897.

This officer, commanding the regiment, kept it on the field exposed to the fire of the enemy for 3 hours without being able to fire one shot in return because of the ammunition being exhausted.

References
  1. 11th NY Infantry regimental roster
  2. 170th NY Infantry regimental roster
  3. "Commissioner Straus Out - President of the Board of Health Says His Business Needs Attention - Col. Murphy His Successor - Story that Mayor Van Wyck's Criticism of the Department's Affairs Is Responsible for the Resignation Is Disputed by Mr. Straus". New York Times. March 4, 1898. p. 12. Retrieved 10 December 2015.
  4. "Col. Murphy New Head of Police Force - Appoints Devery as His First Deputy Commissioner - Gov. Odell Indignant - Thinks Ex-Chief's Retention Is An Affront and May Remove the Mayor - John B. Sexton President of the Health Board". New York Times. February 23, 1901. p. 1. Retrieved 9 December 2015.
  5. "Colonel Murphy Resigns - Police Commissioner Forestalls Removal by Mr. Low - Transfers Nine Captains and Sergeants - Devery to Renew His Claim to Title of Chief of Police". New York Times. January 1, 1902. p. 5. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
  6. "Col. Murphy Left Unrecognized Widow - Parted by Jealousy After a Few Years of Companionship - Although Living in the Same Neighborhood They Did Not Speak to Each Other for Thirty Years". New York Times. March 9, 1903. p. 3. Retrieved 16 December 2015.

Further reading
New York State Assembly
Preceded by
William Minor		 New York State Assembly
New York County, 1st District
1867–1870		 Succeeded by
Michael Madigan
Preceded by
James Fitzgerald		 New York State Assembly
New York County, 1st District
1881–1883		 Succeeded by
Patrick H. Duffy
New York State Senate
Preceded by
John G. Boyd		 New York State Senate
5th District
1884–1889		 Succeeded by
William L. Brown
Police appointments
Preceded by
New office		 NYPD Commissioner
1901–1902		 Succeeded by
John Nelson Partridge
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