Sikhs in US to honour Oak Creek shootings police officer

WASHINGTON: A Washington-based Sikh organization has announced to honour Oak Creek police officer Brian Murphy, for his “sacrifice and exemplary service” during the shootings at a Gurudwara in Wisconsin two years ago, with a service award.

The first officer on the scene during the August 5, 2012 shootings at the Sikh Temple of Oak Creek in Wisconsin, will receive the ‘seva’ award on Vaisakhi Day, at a Gurdwara in suburb here, Guru Gobind Singh Foundation, said yesterday.

Murphy was struck with 12 bullets during the attack in which six Sikh worshippers were killed and three others were critically wounded.

“We are highly grateful to him for his sacrifice and exemplary service to the law and order and providing protection to all citizens of Oak Creek including the members of the Sikh community in Wisconsin. His actions were able to deter much bigger massacre of Sikhs who were still trapped inside the Gurdwara,” Inder Paul Singh Gadh, chairman of the Foundation, said.

Murphy, 52, who has recovered from his wounds, is travelling with his family from Wisconsin to Washington to attend the ceremony.