Roll of Honor
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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BO-US-WA-393E406E- Stewardship
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- 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.
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.
Jailer David B. Morrell is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In WA, 187 of 340 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55% of this state's fallen. That is 55 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David B. Morrell's cause is highlighted.
How David B. Morrell Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David B. Morrell is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David B. Morrell was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
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.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Thurston County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.