Roger Murdock; LAPD Official

Roger E. Murdock, a career officer who served as interim chief of the Los Angeles Police Department in 1969 between the tenures of Tom Reddin and Ed Davis, has died. He was 85.

Murdock, who lived in Glendale, died Sunday in a Glendale hospital.

After 37 years on the force, Murdock assumed the chief’s job from May 6, 1969, when Reddin left to become a news commentator, to Aug. 29, when Davis took over. At the time, Murdock was one of three eligible deputy chiefs who had opted not to seek the permanent chief’s position.

A native of Lansing, Mich., Murdock moved to Los Angeles with his family when he was a toddler. He graduated from Los Angeles High School and USC, where he earned a degree with honors in public administration. He also studied criminal law and the rules of evidence at Los Angeles College of Law and taught a course at USC called “Investigation of Major Crimes.”

Widely respected as a police professional by his fellow officers, Murdock joined the LAPD in 1932 and served in many positions, including 15 years as head of the Patrol Bureau. He was a deputy chief for 18 years.

After his retirement from the LAPD, Murdock served on the board of directors of Skid Row’s Midnight Mission.

He was illustrious potentate of the 30,000-member Al Malaikah Shrine Temple in 1963 and president of the Los Angeles Peace Officers Shrine Club in 1958.

Murdock is survived by his wife, Esther, and two sons, Steven and Tom.