Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman William Morrison was killed when his patrol car was broadsided at the intersection of 15th Street and Ashland Avenue by a drunk driver. While working special employment for Public Housing North, Patrolman Morrison learned of a man with a shotgun in the area. Accompanied by four other officers, Morrison responded to the scene. During the response, his police vehicle was struck broadside by a vehicle traveling at high speed, driven by a subject who failed to yield the right of way at the intersection around 8:15 p.m. Three officers were transported to local hospitals and released. Patrolman Crowley was transported to the University of Illinois Research Hospital with severe brain trauma and was never able to walk again. He died from his injuries on August 22, 2024. The violent impact of the crash resulted in Officer Morrison's death, and he was pronounced dead on arrival at the Cook County Hospital. The driver was convicted of reckless homicide and driving under the influence and sentenced to three years. Patrolman Morrison had served with the Chicago Police Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, son, and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-IL-E18B6513- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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Tributes
27 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Morrison gave the Chicago Police Department 27 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Morrison.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman William M. Morrison, Jr. is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,756 officers honored here.
In IL, 842 of 1,318 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 63.9% of this state's fallen. That is 63.9 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Chicago Police Department, 396 of 571 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. William M. Morrison, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How William M. Morrison, Jr. Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. William M. Morrison, Jr. is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. William M. Morrison, Jr. was killed by automobile.
Incident Location
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