Morris D. Lopez, Sr.

Tampa Police Dept. — Tampa, FL

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch July 9, 1949

Age 25

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

The Vigil Panel 85 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 28

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: 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.
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

Department Tampa Police Dept.

Location Tampa, FL

Platform Identity tpd.hillsborough.fl.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 9, 1949

Tour of Duty 2 yrs

Age 25

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Gun; Unknown type

Offender Unsolved

Military Service

Morris D. Lopez, Sr. served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Patrolman Morris D. Lopez, Sr. 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 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 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At Tampa Police Dept., 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.

Tampa Police Dept.

of 29 officers

72.4% Felonious

FL — Statewide

539

of 1,008 officers

53.5% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious