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Incident
Police Officer William Morris succumbed to gunshot wounds sustained on March 10th, 1907, while attempting to serve an arrest warrant for a minor offense of disorderly conduct.
He and another were attempting to locate the subject at his home. As Officer Morris entered the darkened home he lit a match. Just as he did so, the subject fired two shots from his bed, striking Officer Morris in the abdomen and throat.
The man fled to a nearby home on Davenport Street where he was surrounded by other officers several hours later. The man was shot and killed when he opened fire on two of the officers who approached the home to arrest him, wounding one of them.
Officer Morris was taken to Americus Hospital where he succumbed to his wounds on March 12th, 1907.
Officer Morris had served with the Americus Police Department for six years and had previously served as a guard on the Sumter County Convict Gang.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, five sons, and two daughters.
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.
Police Officer Morris gave the Americus Police Department 6 years.
Thank you for your service to the Americus community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Americus Police Department has lost 5 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
William is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,622 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1907, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1907, 108 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 46th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1907, 109 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 54th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 52. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 52. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 52. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 6 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Tuesdays: 13.1%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 5 deaths at Americus Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 25% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 15.3% 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; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Americus Police Department has 5 officers remembered here, William among them.
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 23-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from Americus Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
