[2] For actions while commanding his regiment during the Battle of North Anna, he was later awarded the Medal of Honor.

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.

Instead, he was fed especially prepared liquid meals through a silver tube inserted into his stomach.

He died on March 4, 1903, and was buried at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York.