Norwood police plan to display badge at headquarters
Family of Former Norwood Patrolman Dick Murphy Returns Historic 1920s Badge to Police Department
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In a touching tribute to local history and family legacy, the family of former Norwood patrolman Dick Murphy is returning his historic police badge to the Norwood Police Department. Dick Murphy served the town as a patrolman from approximately 1929 to 1944, proudly wearing the distinctive “triple-one” badge during his distinguished 15-year tenure. The badge itself features an old-style “column” design reflective of its era, worn alongside police uniforms that looked vastly different from those worn by officers today.
Drawn from the department’s archives, one of the few remaining historical photographs—dated September 30, 1928—preserves Dick Murphy standing in the back row on the steps of the then-new Norwood Senior High School. According to department records, his son, Paul Murphy of Walpole, decided to return the cherished heirloom to the station where his father once patrolled.
While Dick Murphy deeply cherished his role as a Norwood police officer, he ultimately made the difficult decision to resign in 1944 due to severe financial constraints. As the department noted, Norwood police officers were not well-compensated during that era, and with four children to support, Dick was fiercely determined to send every one of them to college. In a testament to his immense personal sacrifice and dedication, all four of Dick Murphy’s children successfully graduated from college, cementing a proud family legacy now honored by the return of his badge to the department.
(Source: Norwood Police Department Facebook Page)
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