Roll of Honor
Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Officer's handgun Offender: One executed
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Morgan was shot and killed in Tarrant County, Texas, while he and his partner transported two prisoners back to Muskogee, Oklahoma. The deputies had gone to Texas by train to pick up the two prisoners and the sheriff's department car, which the two had stolen.
The two suspects were placed in the back of the vehicle, and during the trip back, one of them leaned over the seat and grabbed Deputy Morgan's gun out of its holster. As Deputy Morgan turned and began to resist, the suspect shot him in the head. The suspect then held the other deputy at gunpoint and forced him to drive to a secluded location where Deputy Morgan's body was dumped in a ditch. The two suspects then handcuffed the other deputy to a tree. After robbing the surviving deputy and Deputy Morgan's body, the suspects fled the scene.
The suspects would later go on to kill Officer Charles Wilson of the Livingston, Montana, Police Department on August 20, 1924, and Officer Haze Burch of the Phoenix, Arizona, Police Department on February 5, 1925.
One of the suspects was convicted in Arizona of murdering Officer Burch and hanged on January 8, 1926. The remaining suspect, who was actually the brother of the hanged suspect, was convicted in Texas of the murder of Deputy Morgan and was sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Morgan had been in law enforcement for 12 years and had served with the Muskogee, Oklahoma, Police Department and the Houston, Texas, Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-OK-AE60839D- 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.
Deputy Sheriff Morgan gave the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muskogee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morgan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Deputy Sheriff Joseph P. Morgan 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 OK, 403 of 582 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 69.2% of this state's fallen. That is 15 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, 7 of 7 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Joseph P. Morgan's cause is highlighted.
How Joseph P. Morgan Compares
Offender Outcome
One executed
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Joseph P. Morgan is highlighted in Jun.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Joseph P. Morgan was killed by officer's handgun.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Muskogee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
