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Incident
Jailer David Morrell was beaten and shot to death by an escaping prisoner at the county jail at 4th Avenue and Eastside Street in Olympia. At 3:00 p.m., He was locking a cell door when the prisoner attacked him from behind with a lead pipe that had broken off of the sink. The man then fled down a hallway with Jailer Morrell in pursuit. During the ensuing struggle, Jailer Morrell was beaten with the pipe and shot with his own revolver. The suspect fled the scene but was captured six days later. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. Jailer Morell was a veteran of the Civil War. He had served with the Thurston County Sheriff's Department for 20 years and previously served as a Warden with the Seatco Territorial Prison. He was a widower survived by an adopted son.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Jailer Morrell gave the Thurston County Sheriff's Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Olympia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
David B. Morrell served in the the United States military before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
David is the only officer of Thurston County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
David is one of 187 officers killed feloniously in WA, 55% of the 340 remembered there.
David is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1903, 3 officers in WA were killed feloniously, the 13th heaviest of 96 years on record. The heaviest was 1935, with 8.
In 1903, 103 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 50th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1903, 106 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 57th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
David was 56. Of the 159 killed feloniously in WA whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 46; the middle age was 41. David had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
David was 56. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. David had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
David was 56. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. David had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 11.2% of these deaths in WA; November holds the most, 11.8%. Sundays: 18.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Thurston County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 55% of all 340 deaths in WA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
Where
Military Service
David B. Morrell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement.
Visit David B. Morrell’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Thurston County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.