Incident
Sergeant William Morris was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress at the Metropolitan Street car barn. He encountered two men forcing the watchman to open a safe. Sergeant Morris struck one of the suspects but was shot as he attempted to draw his revolver. One of the suspects was found guilty of second-degree murder and sentenced to life. He was granted a new trial and acquitted on October 7, 1904. A year later he was charged with robbing a drug store. Sergeant Morris had served with the agency for 11 years. His son became a Kansas City police officer a few days after his murder.
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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.
Sergeant Morris gave the Kansas City Police Department 11 years.
Thank you for your service to the Kansas City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sergeant Morris.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Kansas City Police Department has lost 20 officers; 16 of them killed feloniously.
William is one of 237 officers killed feloniously in KS, 70.7% of the 335 remembered there.
William is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
William is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1902, 2 officers at Kansas City Police Department were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1902, 3 officers in KS were killed feloniously, the 17th heaviest of 112 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 8.
In 1902, 104 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 49th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1902, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
William was 54. Of the 14 killed feloniously at Kansas City Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 46; the middle age was 39. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 9.5 years.
William was 54. Of the 211 killed feloniously in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 4.5 years.
William was 54. 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. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
William was 54. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. William had served 11 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
September holds 25% of these deaths at Kansas City Police Department; August holds the most, 31.3%. Tuesdays: 25%.
September holds 8.9% of these deaths in KS; July holds the most, 11.4%. Tuesdays: 15.6%.
September holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
September holds 8.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 20 deaths at Kansas City Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 37.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 70.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 32.9% 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 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
Kansas City Police Department has 20 officers remembered here, William among them.
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John W. Gilley
May 13, 1889
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George Washington Noah
Dec 20, 1896
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Frank Stone
Aug 17, 1902
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William Morris Sep 2, 1902
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Elmer E. Biggs
Sep 1, 1922
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Fred C. Wheeler Sep 1, 1922
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Rudolph Markl Dec 20, 1924
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William Conley Sep 12, 1926
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William Hicks Dec 8, 1929
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Edward F. Nugent
Aug 2, 1943
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Frederick F. Shaumeyer
Feb 12, 1948
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Harry V. Hedrick, Sr.
Aug 5, 1963
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Roger Lutcher
Jan 8, 1969
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Michael Edward Haen
Jul 28, 1978
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Douglas Eugene Bunch
Mar 29, 1983
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Jeffrey A. Young
Aug 1, 1989
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Richard James Asten
Jun 11, 1998
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Brad David Lancaster
May 9, 2016
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Robert David Melton
Jul 19, 2016
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Hunter Simoncic
Aug 26, 2025
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-E
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