Incident
Sergeant Alvis Morris was shot and killed while responding to a robbery. When he arrived on the scene at 4305 15th Street, he found the business owner holding two suspects at gunpoint, whom he had caught stealing a radiator out of a car. As he approached, one of the men grabbed the 62-year-old business owner and was able to gain control of the weapon. The suspect and Sergeant Morris then exchanged shots, and both were wounded. Both suspects fled the scene but were apprehended a short time later. Sergeant Morris was shot in the chest and stomach but chased the pair a half block before collapsing and succumbing to his wounds. One of the suspects, who was also an accomplice in the murder of Patrolman Robert John Ahrens, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 15 years in prison. He was paroled on August 5, 1982. Sergeant Morris had served with the Detroit Police Department for 29 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his four sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-MI-77C85553- 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.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Alvis. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
23 years. You could have gone home.
Sergeant Morris gave the Detroit Police Department 23 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Detroit community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Sergeant Alvis P. Morris, Jr. 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 MI, 426 of 718 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 59.3% of this state's fallen. That is 5.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Detroit Police Department, 177 of 250 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.8% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Alvis P. Morris, Jr.'s cause is highlighted.
How Alvis P. Morris, Jr. Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Alvis P. Morris, Jr. is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Alvis P. Morris, Jr. was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
249 officers from Detroit Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.















