Patrick Murphy Jr., Local Lifeguard Legend, Honored by the City
By Bert Sanders
It is common knowledge across the five boroughs that Rockaway Beach produces some of the best lifeguards, not only in the city, but along the entirety of the eastern seaboard. Rockaway has a rich history of transforming beach bum kids into legendary ocean lifeguards. In fact, many consider lifeguarding to be a major part of the culture on the peninsula. If you take a late night saunter into one of the neighborhood watering holes, it is not uncommon to hear patrons of all ages telling lifeguard tales from their glory days.
Out of the thousands of characters and heroes in these tales, perhaps none have accomplished what Patrick Murphy Jr. has managed in his brief six years on the force. It is seemingly unfair that many of these Rockaway Lifeguard heroics have gone unnoticed by the city over the past four decades. It took a man like Patrick to break this trend. After a dramatic, after-season rescue at the end of the Beach 86th Street jetty, Patrick Murphy Jr. has been named the “Parks Department Employee of the Month: Beyond the Call.”
Patrick Murphy Jr. began his career in 2019 when he joined 117 shack with a memorable rookie class. “I remember the day well… I think,” said senior guard Bobby Butler. “They came walking up the ramp listening to the Grateful Dead. Murphdawg had a massive blonde curly fro. If it wasn’t for the bluetooth speaker, I would have thought that I woke up in the early ‘80s or something. I didn’t know it then, but these kids would put 117 back on the map.”
Under the watchful eye of The Chief Falcon, Lt. Kmac, and Lt. Flo’, this class blossomed into a solid force. The class, which also included Brez, Mac Cheesey, and Tim Mc Mongol would lead 117 to glory on the beach, as well as on the softball field. They spent their first two years practicing their sitting, keeping a careful eye over Johnny Butts, getting into shape, and maintaining public safety. According to lifeguard Dr. Gillen, “They not only kept the lifeguard culture alive, they brought it to new glorious heights!”
While they were having a good time, they also excelled at their job. In the wild summer of 2020, for example, Murphy made waves when he successfully resuscitated an intoxicated patron who had slipped carelessly under a wave. The beaches along 117 shack were in good hands! Even after the shack was split up, due to construction, they continued to shine and spread their unbridled love of lifeguarding to the rest of Rockaway.
Most of the class of 2019 has now moved on to other fields of work, as the vast majority of lifeguards eventually do. Murphy, however, still remains. Murphy’s career took a serious turn in 2023 when his excellence on the beach and his passion for ocean rescue earned him a full-time position. It was this position that placed him on Beach 86th Street on September 15, 2024. “We were there to lifeguard a triathlon,” said Murphy nonchalantly. “The event was over, and we were preparing to head back to the PD [pool deck]. I decided to peek at the rocks one last time since the rip there was gnarly, and the box was starting to work.”
His hunch, and awareness of the ocean paid off for a 14- and 15-year-old who were getting dragged out by the infamous 85th Street rip. As the first victim was being helped in, a buoy-less Murphy made it to the second victim just in time. While he kept the victim afloat, he realized that they had been pulled out past the jetty. Pat used his ocean knowledge to go with the rip, and took the victim around the jetty and eventually safely to the shore. Both victims were transported to St. John’s Hospital as a precaution. They are alive and well!
The dramatic rescue was observed by Lifeguard Coordinator Javier Rodriguez, and Parks Director Bonnie Williams, who both attended the awards ceremony on October 25, 2024 at the Arsenal Gallery, along with Parks Commissioner Sue Donoghue. The entire Murphy family, already dressed up for Maeve’s confirmation, also attended to proudly watch Patrick cement his legacy as a legendary Rockaway lifeguard. “At the end of the day,” Murphy said, “We are one leaf, one team.”