Oak Creek officer shares story of survival with WISN 12 News
OAK CREEK, Wis. —
Shot 12 times, Oak Creek police Officer Brian Murphy was the first responder to the Sikh temple shooting in which six worshipers died.
He's on leave from the force now, undergoing physical therapy and additional surgeries, trying to heal from a day of prayer that gave way to pandemonium.
By the time backup arrived, Murphy was down, but not out.
"That's just the way we're made," Murphy said. "You don't go out like this. You'd better put up a fight."
Murphy was the first officer on the scene after reports of a shooter at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin on Aug. 5. As his own squad car video showed, the two exchange gunfire. A bullet first struck Murphy's face, damaging his vocal cords. He moved over and down, but the shooter persisted. Murphy was hit several more times and took cover under a vehicle.
"It got quiet. It got very warm," Murphy said. "Your eyes start getting a little bit heavy and I thought, I'm not going out like this. I refuse to go out on a parking lot; not happening.'"
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