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John Dennis Morton
Incident
Deputy Sheriff John Morton was shot and killed while attempting to serve a warrant on a man charged with passing a $500 bad check to a car dealer in Summersville, West Virginia. Deputy Morton saw the subject on a street in Cowen and arrested him without incident. While the deputy was walking him to the jail, the man asked him if he could stop at his sister's house to get some extra clothing. When the deputy turned around, looking for someone to get the clothing items, the man drew a handgun and shot Deputy Morton twice. One round hit Deputy Morton over his left eye, and the other struck him in his right lung. The man then fled to his sister's house. The fatally wounded deputy was taken to the Central Hotel, and a doctor was called. After several hours, Deputy Morton was taken to his home, where he died approximately four hours later, at 5:00 pm. Meanwhile, the town constable went to the subject's sister's home but was told by the man that he would also be killed if he tried to arrest him. The constable returned with several volunteers who stormed the house and arrested the man without any shots being fired. Soon, angry crowds formed, and there was talk of lynching the man as Deputy Morton was a well-respected officer in that county, having served as a deputy for four years. There was an attempt to kill the suspect at a nearby railroad station; however, the pistol misfired five times before onlookers could disarm the attacker. The subject was tried on January 23rd, 1920, at Webster Springs. He was convicted and hanged at the penitentiary at Moundsville on April 30th, 1920. Deputy Morton was survived by his expectant wife, two daughters, son, mother, four brothers, and one sister. His son and two of his grandsons went on to serve in law enforcement.
Survivors
Deputy Morton was survived by his expectant wife, two daughters, son, mother, four brothers, and one sister.
In Our Keeping
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- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Deputy Sheriff Morton gave the Webster County Sheriff's Department 4 years.
Thank you for your service to the Webster Springs community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Webster County Sheriff's Department remembered here.
John is one of 169 officers killed feloniously in WV, 72.8% of the 232 remembered there.
John is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1920, 6 officers in WV were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 79 years on record. The heaviest was 1923, with 8.
In 1920, 209 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 9th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1920, 396 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 32. Of the 147 killed feloniously in WV whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 47.5; the middle age was 39. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
John was 32. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 32. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. John had served 4 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 5.3% of these deaths in WV; August holds the most, 14.2%. Mondays: 16%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Webster County Sheriff's Department. The weapon recorded was gun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 72.8% of all 232 deaths in WV, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 16.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 32-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Webster County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.