Incident
Patrolman Morris Lopez was shot and killed by unknown assailants at 7th Avenue and 16th Street in Ybor City while on foot patrol. Around 9:40 p.m., a vehicle suddenly stopped, and a shot rang out, striking Patrolman Lopez in the chest. Before succumbing to his wounds, he was able to give a description of the vehicle and his attackers. He died at Municipal Hospital. A suspect who had threatened Patrolman Lopez was detained, but no charges were ever filed. The case remains open. Patolman Lopez was a United States Navy veteran had served with the Tampa Police Department for two years. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, five brothers, and two sisters. One of his brothers also served in law enforcement.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, parents, five brothers, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-88985731- Stewardship
- 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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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Morris is one person.
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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.
Patrolman Lopez gave the Tampa Police Department 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tampa 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
Morris D. Lopez Sr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Patrolman Morris D. Lopez Sr. 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 53.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Tampa Police Department, 21 of 29 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 72.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Morris D. Lopez Sr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Morris D. Lopez Sr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Morris D. Lopez Sr. is highlighted in Jul.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Morris D. Lopez Sr. was killed by gun.
Incident Location
Military Service
Morris D. Lopez Sr. served in the U.S. Navy before joining law enforcement.
Visit Morris D. Lopez Sr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
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