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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
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- 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.
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
The Sacrifice · Felonious
John is the only officer of Jackson County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
John is one of 756 officers killed feloniously in KY, 76.8% of the 984 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 1934, 10 officers in KY were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 147 years on record. The heaviest was 1926, with 22.
In 1934, 178 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 16th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1934, 179 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 21st heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
John was 46. Of the 669 killed feloniously in KY whose age is recorded, half were between 33 and 49; the middle age was 41. John had served 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
John was 46. 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 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 46. 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 0.7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 7.8% of these deaths in KY; December holds the most, 11.5%. Sundays: 18.7%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Jackson County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 76.8% of all 984 deaths in KY, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 26-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Jackson County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.