Joseph Morgan

Des Moines Police Department — Des Moines, IA

Suicide Honored

End of Watch September 16, 2020

Age 54

The Vigil Panel 173 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 26

Biography

Joseph Morgan or Joe as his friends and family knew him, was born September 4, 1966, to William and Sharlene (Miller) Morgan. He graduated from Northern University High School in Cedar Falls and from Wartburg College with a degree in Criminal Justice. It was Joe’s lifelong dream to be a police officer. His career path included serving with the Cedar Rapids Police Department, as Chief of Police for Oxford Junction, with the Clive Police Department, and finally on the Des Moines Police Force, joining in 1998, and achieving the rank of Sergeant in 2006. He said it was his goal to have a positive impact on his corner of the world. Always level-headed with an intact sense of humor, he was well-suited to serve his community and well-liked among the public and his fellow law enforcement family. A devoted family man, his commitment to his family was first and foremost. They were always his highest priority. He was an avid Minnesota Vikings fan and loved attending the Iowa State Fair. He was an enthusiastic comic book collector and a real-life Superhero. He will be remembered for his fierce dedication to his family and friends, his city, and his fellow officers. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. He is survived by his loving wife, Jennifer; children, Andrew and Ava Morgan; parents, Bill and Sharlene Morgan; sister, Kelli (Greg) McCormick; parents-in-law, David and Nancy Christy, and Pat and Jim Hoyt; many nieces, nephews, loving relatives and friends.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-IA-E006BCCF
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

Officer Joseph Morgan served with the Des Moines Police Department.
Thank you for your service. We will always remember your sacrifice.
You belong on this wall. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Des Moines Police Department

Location Des Moines, IA

Platform Identity dmpd.polk.ia.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch September 16, 2020

Age 54

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Suicide

Joseph Morgan is one of 256 officers honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job across the full record of this memorial — 0.8% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In IA, 3 of 226 officers were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 1.3% of this state's fallen. That is 0.5 percentage points above the national rate of 0.8%.

At Des Moines Police Department, 1 of 27 officers on record were honored for deaths connected to the weight of the job — 3.7% of this agency's fallen.

Des Moines Police Department

of 27 officers

3.7% Suicide

IA — Statewide

of 226 officers

1.3% Suicide

Nationwide

256

of 32,508 officers

0.8% Suicide