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Incident
Deputy Gerald Morris was shot and killed after responding to a robbery-in-progress call at a local store in which Deputy Terry Baker, who was the first officer to respond, had just been fatally wounded. When Deputy Morris, who was also off duty but working a security job in uniform, arrived at the front door of the store in a marked security car, he was confronted by the two robbery suspects and a gunbattle ensued. Deputy Morris wounded one of the suspects before retreating to his car to request backup. The second suspect exited the store and exchanged gunfire with Deputy Morris, resulting in both being fatally wounded. The wounded suspect fled the scene, but was later apprehended out of state and sentenced to life in prison. Deputy Morris had served with the Marion County Sheriff's Department for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his parents.
In Our Keeping
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- 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 Morris gave the Marion County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Indianapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Marion County Sheriff's Department has lost 12 officers; 9 of them killed feloniously.
Gerald is one of 310 officers killed feloniously in IN, 61.6% of the 503 remembered there.
Gerald is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Gerald 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 1981, 2 officers at Marion County Sheriff's Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1981, 4 officers in IN were killed feloniously, the 19th heaviest of 122 years on record. The heaviest was 1934, with 9.
In 1981, 126 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 39th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1981, 152 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 32nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Gerald was 28. Of the 9 killed feloniously at Marion County Sheriff's Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 38; the middle age was 28. Gerald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 4.6 years.
Gerald was 28. Of the 299 killed feloniously in IN whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gerald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Gerald was 28. 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. Gerald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Gerald was 28. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Gerald had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 22.2% of these deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department, more than any other month. Fridays: 22.2%.
January holds 11% of these deaths in IN, more than any other month. Fridays: 11%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 14.3%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Fridays: 14.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 75% of all 12 deaths at Marion County Sheriff's Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 66.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.6% of all 503 deaths in IN, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.9% 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.
His people
Marion County Sheriff's Department has 12 officers remembered here, Gerald among them.
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Edward G. Byrne
Apr 16, 1961
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Jimmie Van Wingate
Jun 14, 1970
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Floyd Thomas Settles
Feb 24, 1972
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Robert C. Atwell
Nov 7, 1972
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Terry L. Baker
Jan 2, 1981
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Gerald L. Morris
Jan 2, 1981
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Thurman Earl Sharp
Dec 25, 1988
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Arvin E. Kays
May 26, 1990
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Paul Joseph Ernst
Mar 21, 1992
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Jason Matthew Baker
Sep 17, 2001
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Kay Carolyn Gregory
May 10, 2002
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John Durm
Jul 10, 2023
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 41-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Marion County Sheriff's Department are honored on badge.nw.
