Roll of Honor
Marlon Francisco Morales
Incident
Officer Marlon Morales succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier when he confronted a fare evader leaving the U Street-Cardoza Metro station in Washington, DC.
During the confrontation, the suspect suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Morales in the face. Officer Morales never had a chance to draw his weapon. The suspect then stole Officer Morales' service weapon and two spare magazines of ammunition and fled the scene. Officer Morales was transported to a local hospital here he remained in critical condition for three days before succumbing to his wound.
The suspect was arrested in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania several days after the incident when he was stopped by officers for a traffic violation. After a brief struggle with officers, he was subdued and found to have Officer Morales' service weapon and the magazines.
On May 24, 2004, the suspect was convicted on seven counts, including murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 30, 2004.
Officer Morales was a United States Army Gulf War veteran and had been employed with the Metro Transit Police Department for 6 months.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife, infant daughter, and two young sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-DC-BCE37407- 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
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.
Officer Morales served with the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Washington community. Thank you 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
Marlon Francisco Morales served in the Army (1988â1992) before joining law enforcement.
Officer Marlon Francisco Morales 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 DC, 754 of 1,419 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.1% of this state's fallen. That is 1.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Police Department, 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. Marlon Francisco Morales's cause is highlighted.
How Marlon Francisco Morales Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Marlon Francisco Morales is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Marlon Francisco Morales was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
