Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Bill Morris was shot and killed while responding to a call involving two juveniles trying to steal a vehicle on County Road 25A north of State Route 571 in Tipp City. Sergeant Morris responded to a call of two teenagers, one armed with a rifle, trying to steal a car. Sergeant Morris, driving an unmarked vehicle, found the boys and ordered them to get on the ground at gunpoint. The 15-year-old took off running while the 16-year-old raised an M1 Carbine above his head, claiming it was unloaded, then lowered the rifle and fired on Sergeant Morris, who used his cruiser to shield himself. Sergeant Morris and the suspect circled the cruiser, each firing until Sergeant Morris was hit and knocked into a ditch. The 16-year-old shooter then jumped into the cruiser and drove a short distance before backing up and firing two more rounds into Sergeant Morris as he lay in the ditch. He then drove a short distance and hid in a barn, where he later committed suicide with the same rifle after being surrounded by other officers. Sergeant Morris had served with the Miami County Sheriff's Office for 22 years. He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons. He is buried at Miami Memorial Park. West State Route 55 from the City of Troy west corporation to State Route 48 was renamed the Sheriff Sergeant William "Bill" Morris Memorial Highway.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and three sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OH-DE31D81C- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
22 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Morris gave the Miami County Sheriff's Office 22 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Troy community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant William R. Morris 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 OH, 572 of 991 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.7% of this state's fallen. That is 3.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Miami County Sheriff's Office, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William R. Morris's cause is highlighted.
How William R. Morris Compares
Offender Outcome
Cause: Gunfire
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Morris is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William R. Morris was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Miami County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
