Roll of Honor
Incident
Sheriff Johnnie Morris was shot and killed as he and his deputy attempted to arrest three men for creating a disturbance.
When the sheriff attempted to take the men into custody one of them started walking away. The sheriff called out to halt and fired a warning shot. One of the suspects then started shooting at the two lawmen, fatally wounding the sheriff.
The suspects were taken into custody and charged with Sheriff Morris' murder. All three were convicted of murder. The shooter was sentenced to life. Another was sentenced to 21 years and the third to two years in prison.
Sheriff Morris had served as sheriff of the Jackson County Sheriff's Office for only nine months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and five children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-KY-931A504C- Stewardship
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- 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.
Sheriff Morris served with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the McKee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sheriff John C. "Johnnie" 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 KY, 755 of 983 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 76.8% of this state's fallen. That is 22.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John C. "Johnnie" Morris's cause is highlighted.
How John C. "Johnnie" Morris Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John C. "Johnnie" Morris is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths.