51-year-old Oak Creek police officer recovering following shooting
OAK CREEK -- Oak Creek Police Chief John Edwards said Monday, August 6th Lieutenant Brian Murphy, a 20-year veteran of the department remained in critical condition at Froedtert Hospital's ICU following Sunday morning's shooting at the Sikh Temple in Oak Creek.
Lt. Murphy was among the first responders to the scene following the initial 911 calls that came from the temple just before 10:30 a.m. Sunday.
Edwards said during a news conference Monday Edwards came upon a victim in the parking lot, and began attending to that victim -- providing aid. At that time, Lt. Murphy was "ambushed" by the shooter, now identified as Wade Michael Page.
Lt. Murphy was shot eight to nine times, and other responding officers carried him away from the scene, and he was taken to Froedtert Hospital. Lt. Murphy had two surgeries at Froedtert Sunday night, and is said to be resting with family.
Officials say they expect Lt. Murphy to be okay.
Another Oak Creek police officer engaged Page, an "active shooter," and struck him with gunfire, killing him outside the temple.
Sikhs for Justice, a national human rights organization, is pledging $10,000 award to Lt. Murphy for his actions on August 5th. In a statement the group says:
"This tragic incident is just one more example of the need for all ethnic groups to support each other and raise their voices against violence in our country and abroad. Since 9/11 there have been innumerable instance of hate crimes against members of the Sikh community. Our government must take urgent steps to educate the country about the Sikh population and help put an end to these horrific and deadly acts of violence. Our organization, Sikhs for Justice, is proudly pledging a $10,000 award to Lieutenant Brian Murphy, the officer wounded in the incident.”
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