Roll of Honor

Prev Next

Jailer

David B. Morrell

Thurston County Sheriff's Department — Olympia, WA

Felonious Veteran

End of Watch March 1, 1903

Age 56

Tour of Duty 20 yrs

The Vigil Panel 18 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice

Incident

Jailer David Morrell was beaten and shot to death by an escaping prisoner at the county jail at 4th Avenue and Eastside Street in Olympia. At 3:00 p.m., He was locking a cell door when the prisoner attacked him from behind with a lead pipe that had broken off of the sink. The man then fled down a hallway with Jailer Morrell in pursuit. During the ensuing struggle, Jailer Morrell was beaten with the pipe and shot with his own revolver. The suspect fled the scene but was captured six days later. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years. Jailer Morell was a veteran of the Civil War. He had served with the Thurston County Sheriff's Department for 20 years and previously served as a Warden with the Seatco Territorial Prison. He was a widower survived by an adopted son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-WA-393E406E
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 David. 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

I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Jailer Morrell gave the Thurston County Sheriff's Department 20 years.
Thank you for your service to the Olympia community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.

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

Agency

Department Thurston County Sheriff's Department

Location Olympia, WA

Platform Identity tcso.thurston.wa.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch March 1, 1903

Tour of Duty 20 yrs

Age 56

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Sentenced to 20 years

Military Service

David B. Morrell served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.

Jailer David B. Morrell 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 WA, 187 of 339 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 55.2% of this state's fallen. That is 1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

Thurston County Sheriff's Department

of 1 officers

100% Felonious

WA — Statewide

187

of 339 officers

55.2% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. David B. Morrell's cause is highlighted.

Felonious

17,623 (54.2%)

Accident

10,088 (31%)

Illness

2,974 (9.1%)

Cardiac

1,306 (4%)

Undetermined

260 (0.8%)

Suicide

256 (0.8%)

vehicular

1 (0%)

How David B. Morrell Compares

Age at End of Watch

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years

Years of Service

This officer

Avg for Felonious: 8.5 years

Offender Outcome

Sentenced to 20 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. David B. Morrell is highlighted in Mar.

Jan

1,392

Feb

1,295

Mar

1,373

Apr

1,517

May

1,505

Jun

1,443

Jul

1,587

Aug

1,516

Sep

1,553

Oct

1,371

Nov

1,447

Dec

1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. David B. Morrell was killed by officer's handgun.

Gun; Unknown type

5,083

Handgun

2,077

Shotgun

922

Officer's handgun

909

Automobile; Alcohol involved

530

Rifle

518