From Detective Joe Murray’s Twitter feed – @PPDJoeMurray.

Detective Joe Murray, the social media savvy cop who entertained and informed followers with pithy tweets about everything from police policy to top-shelf donuts and Wrestlemania, is moving on after 11 years in West and Southwest Philly.

He announced in a March 7 tweet (natch) that he had been transferred to the PPD’s Homicide Division, a much-deserved promotion. Murray won the Richardson Dilworth Award for Innovation and Government in 2015 and didn’t shy away from calling out the highest levels of the PPD. His story made it to NPR in 2012 after the PPD’s top brass figured all his tweeting was a good idea. They did make him professionalize his Twitter handle, though, so he gave up his trademark moniker “The Fuzz” to the more official “@PPDJoeMurray.”

For 11+ years I’ve had the pleasure of working for the people of West/Southwest Philly. Yesterday I was transferred to the Homicide Division

— Joseph Murray (@PPDJoeMurray) March 7, 2017

We recently asked Murray a few questions about his time on the West side. 

Looking back, what were one or two of the more meaningful cases that you remember?

There are tons. Helping solve the triple murder at Lorena’s Grocery store is certainly up there. There were a few lesser known cases that meant a lot because people in the neighborhood felt comfortable enough with me to give me a heads up on who committed the crimes. The guy robbing the Green Line shops, the Screwdriver Bandit, etc. There are just so many.

What were some of the stranger cases or interactions you had in West Philly?

Probably the Black Madam. She was convicted of murder for the botched butt injection near the airport. She had quite the personality. 

But we certainly saw our fair share of strange cases. We had someone crank call every night and just breathe in the phone. That’s still happening by the way. I’m convinced it’s Kyle Cassidy [well-known West Philly photographer and founder of the venerable “UC Neighbors” listserv].

Speaking of Kyle, he is a fantastic amateur detective and I was very happy to reunite him with his stolen Leica a few years back.  

What will you miss about the job here?

That’s easy…the people. When I first started posting on PhillyBlog then sending out the newsletter, the response was overwhelming. Then when I started tweeting and that took off, I ran into some issues with people in the department who, um, didn’t quite understand it. So when I was asked to stop, the response from the community was incredible. They signed a petition and then-Commissioner Ramsey let me back and kinda rolled out the whole department’s social media program behind it. Who knows what would have happened if the petition wasn’t created? I’m not sure I would have ever been back and I certainly wouldn’t have won the Dilworth Award. I credit all of this to my neighbors in West and Southwest Philly.   

What’s your favorite part of being a cop?

Another layup! I like being in a position to help people. No matter who they are or what they need. I handled violent crime my entire time in SWDD, but I also went out and had abandoned cars towed, rescued trapped cats, personally took reports for crimes ranging from package thefts to robbery. I’m not saying that to toot my own horn, but to show people that no matter what our job is, we are all cops and have a responsibility to help. It’s not in my DNA to say “That’s not my job” or “Go make a report at the district.” I’d be embarrassed to do that.   

In descending order, what are your favorite spots to eat in West Philly? Why?

5. Colonial – They were the go-to. Buffalo chicken pizza, buffalo chicken quesadillas, buffalo chicken…you get the idea.

4. Overbrook Pizza – Best fries in the division.

3. A&A – 63rd & Haverford. If you’ve never had their breakfast bagel sandwiches, you’re missing out.  

2. Honest Tom’s – If you’re reading this, I don’t have to tell you.

1. Vietnam – I live on broken rice, pho and spring rolls. 

If a friend were visiting from out of town and said “Show me the real West Philly,” where would you take them?

To me, 52nd Street has it all. That’s West Philly. It’s our Broad Street. And it covers all 4 of our districts. We call it “The Deuce” and I can’t think of another street that has a nickname like that. Baltimore Ave is another iconic West Philly street. I could ride up and down 52nd St and pull over anywhere and give that person a totally different experience from the prior one. Could have a conversation with Dr. Jones at Bible Way Church then pop into Mr. Hook. I could talk all day about the different places in West Philly. (I’d probably cough loudly to distract the person while driving by a certain establishment on 52nd and Pine though). 

Has Omar from 45th and Locust ever assisted you in a case?

Tried to recruit him early on to be my Bubbs, but he tried to grab my tie. I’ve avoided him ever since, and I mean that literally. I’ve had to drive around him on Locust Street a few times.  

Lastly, while I’m going to miss Koch’s, The Gold Standard, Café Saigon, Saad’s, Vincent’s Pizza, etc., I will miss the people the most. I will embarrass Amara Rockar [Cedar Park community advocate and founder of the West Philly Coalition for Neighborhood Schools], but she will get over it; I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who cares about their neighborhood, and neighbors, more than her. And she’s very aware of what needs police assistance and what doesn’t. Patty Bulack was another person who I spoke to early and often. Liz Spikol and her many Subarus. West Philly Local for getting the news out about what was happening. But that’s just a few of the people. I could go on and on.

West and Southwest Philly are tight neighborhoods overflowing with people who care not just about themselves but about their neighbors. As much as we like to refer to ourselves as the City of Brotherly Love, nowhere is that more apparent than in West Philly. I’m going to be working on murders but that doesn’t mean I can’t help with questions. Please don’t hesitate to reach out…I’m not going anywhere.