CHICAGO—The Saint Xavier University Student Veterans Alliance is partnering with the McCarthy Brigade for a Veterans Day Event on Wednesday, Nov. 11. The ceremony starts at 1 p.m. in the Butler Reception on SXU's Chicago campus at 3700 W. 103rd St. The event is open to all, including the local community.
Student veterans will recognize SXU Chief of Police Dan Murphy, honoring his esteemed Air Force service. Murphy served in the United States Air Force from 1987 to 1991 as a security specialist, attaining the rank of sergeant.
Murphy's service as a sergeant was with the 86th Security Police Squadron at Ramstein Air Base in Germany, protecting aircraft, flightlines, base facilities, and weapons while also working German Town Patrol with the Polizei, before later serving at Grand Forks Air Force Base in support of Minuteman III missile security and Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
"We are excited to honor Dan Murphy at our Veteran's Day Event this year," Matthew Maltese, Veterans and Athletics Compliance Advisor said in a news release. "Dan has been an integral part of the Saint Xavier University community for several years, and his service to our country, school and community will be recognized on this day. We are thankful that Dan has given us the opportunity to spotlight his career on this very important day."
Murphy's military honors include the Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, and National Defense Service Medal.
"My service in the United States Air Force gave me the confidence and determination to face challenges and keep moving forward," Murphy said. "Those lessons have stayed with me through my career and now as a student at Saint Xavier University. Being honored here on Veteran's Day is especially meaningful because being a veteran continues to shape how I lead, learn and serve."
After Murphy's honorable discharge, he continued serving others through a 30-year career, rising from patrolman to leadership roles including sergeant, chief of investigations, and acting chief of police. He founded Child Safety Zone in 2002 to teach children and the community about safety, drugs, gangs and violence prevention, and earned numerous honors, including the Medal of Honor, Combat Cross, Wounded in Combat, and valor awards. In 2022, he joined SXU in emergency management and campus safety, later becoming Chief of Police, and he is currently pursuing the college degree he had long hoped to earn.
Murphy is admired by many across campus, especially SVA members.
"Veteran's Day is a time to honor the men and women who have served our country and recognize the sacrifices they have made to protect our freedom. As a veteran and president of SVA, I'm proud to help bring our campus community together to recognize those who have served." SVA President Karely Padilla said. "It means a lot to see our school create a space where veterans feel appreciated, supported and remembered–not just on Veteran's Day but throughout the entire year.
The McCarthy Brigade named in honor of Lt. Col. Joseph McCarthy, a World War II Medal of Honor recipient, United States Marine Corps veteran, Chicago firefighter, and early pioneer of emergency medical services (EMS) who lived in Beverly.
"You've never lived until you've almost died. For those who fight for it, life has a flavor that the protected will never know." – Pat McAuley, McCarthy Brigade
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