On August 5, 2012, Oak Creek Police Lieutenant Brian Murphy responded to the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin after reports of a shooting. When he arrived, he encountered the gunman and immediately confronted him.
Murphy was shot 15 times during the exchange. Despite his injuries, he continued trying to protect others. Officer Savan Lenda arrived shortly after and moved toward the gunman, eventually striking him. The Department of Justice later determined that Murphy and Lenda's actions "saved an untold number of lives."
Six members of the Sikh community were killed that day, while others were wounded. Investigators later determined that people were hiding inside the temple, including women and children. The gunman had fired toward the area where they were hiding before Murphy's arrival interrupted the attack.
Murphy received national recognition for his actions, including being recognized by President Barack Obama during the 2013 State of the Union address. Later that year, after 28 years in law enforcement, Murphy retired from the Oak Creek Police Department.
In recognition of their actions at the Sikh Temple, Murphy and Lenda were awarded the Law Enforcement Congressional Badge of Bravery for their "extraordinary bravery above and beyond the call of duty."
"Almost every officer who’s been involved in that feels like they’re out on an island all by themselves," Murphy said. "And people say, 'I know what you’re going through.' But unless you were actually shot or stabbed in the line of duty, you don’t."
Today, Murphy continues working with the law-enforcement community. He serves as SAVES Manager for Armor Express, the company that made the body armor that helped save his life, and continues speaking and training law-enforcement professionals about his experience, officer readiness and resilience.
More than a decade later, the events of August 5, 2012 remain an important part of Wisconsin's history. The six people who lost their lives are remembered, along with the first responders who put themselves in harm's way to protect others.
