Mid-America Security Conference

Edna Murphy is a Lieutenant with the Kansas Highway Patrol, currently serving in Fiscal/Grant Administration. With more than two decades of service since 2001, she has held leadership roles including Trooper, Technical Trooper in Public & Governmental Affairs, Troop H Field Supervisor, and now Commanding Officer overseeing all aspects of the Homeland Security Grant Program.

Lieutenant Murphy manages and administers federal funding that strengthens preparedness, prevention, response, mitigation, and recovery efforts across Kansas. Since 2013, she has overseen the distribution of more than $64 million to state and local first responder agencies and nonprofit organizations. Her responsibilities include subrecipient monitoring, civil rights compliance, facility risk assessments, emergency management coordination, and supervision of civilian and commissioned personnel. She has participated in numerous State Emergency Operations Center activations and large-scale exercises, including Wolf Creek and other disaster response drills.

Earlier in her career, Edna Murphy was the first female trooper promoted as a Lieutenant field supervisor in the Patrol.  She also served as a State Public Information Officer, providing media relations, legislative monitoring, and public safety outreach. As a road patrol Trooper, she removed numerous impaired drivers from Kansas highways, investigated fatal and injury crashes, and delivered safety education programs throughout her assigned counties.

A U.S. Army Military Police Officer, a combat veteran with honorable service in Hungary, Croatia, and Bosnia, Lieutenant Murphy is recognized as a servant leader committed to public safety and community partnership. She was honored as a “Kansas Woman of Significant Accomplishment” for her service to Kansans and is known for her decisive actions in saving the life of a choking elementary student while on duty.

In her free time, she enjoys outdoor family activities, camping, fishing, church outreach, and creative culinary projects.