Henderson County, Tenn.–The Henderson County Fire Chief passed away shortly after being called to an emergency call. Chief Joseph Lynn Murphy was 62.
The news was announced by Paul Trumpore, Executive Director of the Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains:
I am so sorry to pass along the following information at the request of Henderson County Fire Department Administrative District Chief Chadd Gilliam:
“Chief Lynn Murphy suffered a cardiac arrest event Tuesday evening within 24 hours of answering an emergency call. He was taken to the hospital in Jackson where he regained a pulse, but has not regained consciousness. During testing today, the physicians advised that he has sustained life-ending brain damage.”
I am asking that you please keep his family in your prayers, along with the other emergency service families in grief across our state right now (Sgt. Rick Finley family from Selmer PD [also served as Deputy with McNairy County SO] & Fire Captain George Turley family in Chattanooga).
PAUL N. TRUMPORE, SR., Executive Director
Tennessee Federation of Fire Chaplains
The following is his obituary:
Chief Joseph Lynn Murphy, age 62, served as a pillar to Henderson County and the State of Tennessee for many years. Chief started his career in emergency services with the Henderson County Fire Department Station 3 at Parkers Crossroads as a teenager, where he grew and climbed the ranks of the station to become the District Chief. His professional career started as dispatcher for the Sheriff Department in the mid 80’s, where he also progressed up to later becoming the Director for 911. In 1997, Murphy, as most called him, was selected to become the Fire Chief for Henderson County, where he has served with Honor until his sudden sickness. Chief Murphy has a reputation as a Fire Chief for the firefighters. In his 27 year career as Chief, he also served as Emergency Management Director as a dual role. Murphy also served a term as President of the Tennessee Fire Chief’s Association. He has directed the department in many state programs through the years, always wanting to be the first to try the program and better it with ideas if he had them. One of his most proud accomplishments is the successful Get Alarmed Program to offer smoke alarms to citizens for free through the state. Chief has also managed to improve the departments I.S.O rating twice. He was also a gifted grant writer, which has saved local tax dollars. Chief Murphy lived a life expecting no recognition or pats on the back. Chief was a man that you knew if you asked you would get an answer that was honest and pure. Chief Murphy had the dedication and drive in his heart for the community he served and loved. Lynn was born September 30, 1962 and passed away Friday December 20, 2024 in Jackson after a sudden illness. He is survived by his mother; Helen Atkinson Murphy, a sister; Cheryl Jane (Tom) Ledbetter, a grandson; Mason Williams, a special friend; Susan Weant, and niece and nephew; Luke Ledbetter and Jolie Ledbetter. He was preceded in death by his wife; Lei Lani Rose Murphy and his father; Joseph Raymond Murphy Jr. Funeral services will be on Friday, December 27 at 11AM at the Lexington High School gymnasium with Reed’s Chapel in charge of the arrangements. Visitation will be at the gymnasium on Thursday from 12PM-9PM and Friday from 9AM until service. Burial will follow in the Jones Cemetery in Wildersville. The family request in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Henderson County Fire Department memorial fund c/o Henderson County Fire Department, 50 Natchez Trace Drive, Lexington ,TN. 38351.