Alexander W. Murray

Alexander W. Murray
Born(1864-07-03)July 3, 1864
St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S.
Died(1927-05-30)May 30, 1927
Near Seminole Hot Springs, California, U.S.
Police career
CountryUnited States
DepartmentLos Angeles Police Department
Rank
Acting Chief of Police - 1920

Alexander W. Murray (July 3, 1864 – May 30, 1927) served in the LAPD for 30 years, the latter of half of which was in various positions of department leadership, including captain, police inspector, and on multiple occasions, acting chief of police.[1] He was officially acting chief of police of the Los Angeles Police Department for one month, in October 1920,[2] and seems to have held the position of acting chief unofficially multiple times during the many years of chief churn experienced by the department in the early 20th century. According to the Los Angeles Times, "Murray has the distinction of having served more years as Chief of Police during emergencies than any one man actually in the position as Chief".[3] He was described as an "ideal officer, both as to appearance and conduct"[4] and was remembered for a "quiet, dignified, philosophical manner that...distinguished his actions as an active police executive".[5]

  1. ^ "Mrs. Kathryn Murray". The Los Angeles Times. August 31, 1954. p. 30. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  2. ^ "Los Angeles Chiefs of Police - Names - Time Served". The Los Angeles Times. August 9, 1931. p. 126. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  3. ^ "Little Hope in Sickness of Ex-Chief". The Los Angeles Times. May 27, 1927. p. 29. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  4. ^ "O! What a Shock! And Captain Murray Hasn't Yet Recovered". Los Angeles Evening Express. May 9, 1913. p. 6. Retrieved 2024-05-27.
  5. ^ "Death Comes to Veteran of Police Force". The Los Angeles Times. May 31, 1927. p. 26. Retrieved 2024-05-27.