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Thomas J. Morrell
Incident
Location: Arizona Incident Date: Saturday, June 13, 1987
Lance Corporal Thomas Morrell succumbed to injuries sustained when he fell while on patrol aboard MCAS Yuma in Yuma, Arizona.
Lance Corporal Morrell was conducting his routine patrol duties and climbed onto the roof of the Jet Engine Test Site Building #303 to gain an overview of his assigned patrol area. As he made his way across the roof of the building, he fell through an opening and landed on the concrete floor approximately 50 feet below.
After LCpl Morrell failed to check in at approximately 9:30 p.m., a search was initiated. He was found unconscious on the building floor at approximately midnight. He was transported to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
LCpl Morrell was a military police officer who served with the United States Marine Corps for three years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, daughter, mother, father, two brothers, and four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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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.
Lance Corporal Morrell gave the United States Marine Corps Military Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Thomas J. Morrell served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
United States Marine Corps Military Police has lost 3 officers; 3 of them lost to accidents.
Thomas is one of 453 officers lost to accidents in DC, 31.9% of the 1,419 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Thomas is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1987, 6 officers in DC were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 14.
In 1987, 76 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 35th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1987, 95 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 27th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Thomas was 21. Of the 425 lost to accidents in DC whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Thomas was 21. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Thomas was 21. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Thomas had served 3 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.3% of these deaths in DC; July holds the most, 10.6%. Sundays: 13%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 14%.
June holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Sundays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 3 deaths at United States Marine Corps Military Police.
Accident deaths account for 31.9% of all 1,419 deaths in DC, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
United States Marine Corps Military Police has 3 officers remembered here, Thomas among them.
Where
Military Service
Thomas J. Morrell served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining law enforcement.
Visit Thomas J. 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 37-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from United States Marine Corps Military Police are honored on badge.nw.
