James T. Morrow

Philadelphia Police Department — Philadelphia, PA

Felonious

End of Watch November 23, 1936

Age 35

Tour of Duty 5 yrs 8 mo

The Vigil Panel 72 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 377

Incident

Officer Morrow was shot and killed in a gully next to a railroad track by a purse snatcher he and his partner were chasing. The suspect shot him in the head and chest five times. Six months later the 19-year-old suspect was apprehended. The suspect confessed to seven earlier robberies and the murder of another man two months earlier after he robbed him of 25 cents. He was convicted of both murders and sentenced to death. His sentence was later commuted to life. The suspect's attorney maintained his client was innocent and that he had a mental problem that caused him to confess to the crimes. On February 24, 1939, a man picked up for questioning about a murder, told officials that he was with a man who committed both murders. That man had been shot and killed three weeks earlier by Philadelphia detectives when they attempted to arrest him for six recent murders. The original suspect was released and the killer's companion was charged with the murders. He was convicted of Officer Morrow's murder and sentenced to life. In 1951 he convinced the court that he was coerced into giving his confession and was awarded a new trial. He was acquitted on May 1, 1951, and released.

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Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Morrow gave the Philadelphia Police Department 5 years.
Thank you for your service to the Philadelphia community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Morrow.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Philadelphia Police Department

Location Philadelphia, PA

Platform Identity ppd.philadelphia.pa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch November 23, 1936

Tour of Duty 5 yrs 8 mo

Age 35

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; Pistol

Offender Not available

Police Officer James T. Morrow is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Philadelphia Police Department, 162 of 378 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.9% of this agency's fallen.

Philadelphia Police Department

162

of 378 officers

42.9% Felonious

PA — Statewide

597

of 1,261 officers

47.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious