Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer William Morris succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on March 10th, 1907, while attempting to serve an arrest warrant for a minor offense of disorderly conduct.
He and another were attempting to locate the subject at his home. As Officer Morris entered the darkened home he lit a match. Just as he did so, the subject fired two shots from his bed, striking Officer Morris in the abdomen and throat.
The man fled to a nearby home on Davenport Street where he was surrounded by other officers several hours later. The man was shot and killed when he opened fire on two of the officers who approached the home to arrest him, wounding one of them.
Officer Morris was taken to Americus Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds on March 12th, 1907.
Officer Morris had served with the Americus Police Department for six years and had previously served as a guard on the Sumter County Convict Gang.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-GA-C3608233- 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 never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Morris gave the Americus Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Americus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer 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 GA, 548 of 903 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.7% of this state's fallen. That is 6.5 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Americus Police Dept., 4 of 5 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% 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
Shot and killed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William R. Morris is highlighted in Mar.
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
4 officers from Americus Police Dept. are honored on badge.nw.
