Roll of Honor
Incident
Constable David Morehouse was shot and killed after interrupting a burglary at a hardware store. The two suspects fled the scene but were arrested the next day in Fresno County, California, after committing several thefts. One suspect, 22, Constable Morehouse's killer, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life. Officials said he was the most remarkable young criminal of his time, having stolen more than 100 automobiles and committing several robberies. On January 21, 1923, he escaped with another inmate, serving life for murder, from San Quentin Prison. Several weeks later he shot and wounded a traffic officer who stopped them for speeding in Rosalia, Washington. On May 17, 1923, both were captured in Des Moines, Iowa. Both were returned to Washington and sentenced for robberies and shooting the traffic officer and sentenced to prison terms in Walla Walla Prison. On October 7, 1923, as both were leaving the chapel in Walla Walla Prison, Constable Morehouse's killer and another inmate were stabbed to death by the inmate he escaped with. The other suspect, 19, with Constable Morehouse's killer, not the one he escaped with in 1923, was tried and acquitted.
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- 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.
Constable Morehouse served with the Paso Robles Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Paso Robles community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Constable Morehouse.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Constable David Nathan Morehouse 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David Nathan Morehouse's cause is highlighted.
How David Nathan Morehouse Compares
Offender Outcome
Killed in prison in 1923
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David Nathan Morehouse is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David Nathan Morehouse was killed by gun; unknown type.