LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION paying tribute to the life and accomplishments of
William L. Murphy, Staten Island's longest-serving district attorney and
renowned member of his community

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize those
individuals of preeminent character whose lives exemplified the highest
ideals of humanity and whose lifework and civic endeavor served to
enhance the quality of life in their communities and the great State of
New York; and
WHEREAS, It is with great sorrow and deep regret that this Legislative
Body records the passing of retired District Attorney William L. Murphy,
of Staten Island, New York, who died on Friday, June 4, 2010, at the age
of 65; and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy was born in Chicago, Illinois, where his
father was serving in the United States Army; he moved to Staten Island
when he was just six weeks old; and
WHEREAS, A 1962 graduate of St. Peter's High School, William L. Murphy
continued his education and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa
from Fordham University in 1966, with a degree in political science; and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy then graduated from Harvard School of Law
in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1969; while there, he belonged to the
Air Force ROTC; and
WHEREAS, He grew up in New Brighton and also lived on Grymes Hill
before settling in West Brighton in 1976; and
WHEREAS, In 1969, William L. Murphy began his illustrious career as a
prosecutor in the district attorney's office in Manhattan where he
became the Chief of the Indictments Bureau in 1974; and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy came to Staten Island's District Attorney's
office in 1976, to serve as Chief Assistant under District Attorney
Thomas Sullivan; and
WHEREAS, A wizard of law, William L. Murphy treated every case objec-
tively and fairly; he was firm in his belief that it was not about
getting convictions, it was about getting justice; and
WHEREAS, One of his career highlights included the 1982 prosecution of
John Cassiliano, known as Johnny Cash, who took bribes to allow toxic
waste to be dumped at the old Brookfield landfill; after getting a guil-
ty plea, he lobbied to make New York State environmental law more like
penal law; and
WHEREAS, As a result of William L. Murphy's tireless efforts to
protect Brookfield, it is now slated to become one of the largest public
parks in New York City; and
WHEREAS, In 1983, Governor Mario Cuomo appointed William L. Murphy as
District Attorney; he served for 21 years, from 1983 to 2003, winning
re-election four consecutive times; and
WHEREAS, In this capacity, William L. Murphy worked to change insani-
ty-defense laws to place more of a burden on defendants, and kept his
office on top of the new technologies criminals embraced over the years;
and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy not only formed new bureaus in the office
but also enhanced existing ones; he focused on crime prevention, and
used asset forfeiture money to fund the initiative; and
WHEREAS, This legendary public servant established satellite district
attorney offices around Staten Island; and
WHEREAS, Dedicated to the enhancement of his profession, William L.
Murphy was a past President of both the National District Attorneys
Association and the New York State District Attorneys Association; more-

over, he was an emeritus member of the National College of District
Attorneys' Board of Regents; and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy taught the Police Department's Homicide
Investigator course and lectured at the Criminal Justice Service's basic
and economic crime courses for prosecutors; and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy was called upon to contribute his time and
talents to countless civic and charitable endeavors and always gave of
himself unstintingly; he was a past Chairman of the Staten Island Unit
of the Leukemia Society and the Advisory Board of the Catholic Youth
Organization; and
WHEREAS, He also served on the advisory boards of Bayley Seton Hospi-
tal, St. John's University and the Goodhue Center, and was on the board
of Community Agency for Senior Citizens; and
WHEREAS, A devoted congregant of St. Peter's R.C. Church, William L.
Murphy was a member of the Staten Island Rotary Club and the Ancient
Order of Hibernians; in 1983, he was selected as Grand Marshal of the
Staten Island St. Patrick's Parade; and
WHEREAS, An Eagle Scout, William L. Murphy was a past President of the
Staten Island Council, Boy Scouts of America, and in 1996, he received
the coveted Silver Beaver Award, the highest recognition bestowed by a
local council; and
WHEREAS, William L. Murphy belonged to the Staten Island Darts League
and was an avid golfer; he was a passionate fan of the New York and San
Francisco Giants baseball team; and
WHEREAS, A man of true devotion to his family, his community and the
law he was sworn to uphold, William L. Murphy's positive attitude was a
tribute to his faith and character; and
WHEREAS, Predeceased by his brother, John Murphy, William L. Murphy is
survived by his wife of 41 years, the former Kathleen Brushett, his two
daughters, Michele Murphy Gastel and Jeannine Sweeney; three brothers,
Donald, Gerald and Vincent; and a sister, Mary Ellen Cilento; as well as
two grandchildren, Riley and Quinn Gastel; and
WHEREAS, Armed with a humanistic spirit, imbued with a sense of
compassion, and comforted by a loving family, William L. Murphy leaves
behind a legacy which will long endure the passage of time and will
remain as a comforting memory to all he served and befriended; he was
the gold standard of public servants and his enormous smile will be
sorely missed; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to pay
tribute to the life and accomplishments of William L. Murphy, recogniz-
ing the significance of his exemplary record of public service and
expressing its deepest condolences to his family; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to the family of William L. Murphy.