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Incident
Location: Texas Weapon: Officer's handgun Offender: One executed
Deputy Sheriff Joseph Morgan was shot and killed in Tarrant County, Texas, while he and his partner transported two prisoners back to Muskogee, Oklahoma. The deputies had gone to Texas by train to pick up the two prisoners and the sheriff's department car, which the two had stolen.
The two suspects were placed in the back of the vehicle, and during the trip back, one of them leaned over the seat and grabbed Deputy Morgan's gun out of its holster. As Deputy Morgan turned and began to resist, the suspect shot him in the head. The suspect then held the other deputy at gunpoint and forced him to drive to a secluded location where Deputy Morgan's body was dumped in a ditch. The two suspects then handcuffed the other deputy to a tree. After robbing the surviving deputy and Deputy Morgan's body, the suspects fled the scene.
The suspects would later go on to kill Officer Charles Wilson of the Livingston, Montana, Police Department on August 20, 1924, and Officer Haze Burch of the Phoenix, Arizona, Police Department on February 5, 1925.
One of the suspects was convicted in Arizona of murdering Officer Burch and hanged on January 8, 1926. The remaining suspect, who was actually the brother of the hanged suspect, was convicted in Texas of the murder of Deputy Morgan and was sentenced to life in prison.
Deputy Morgan had been in law enforcement for 12 years and had served with the Muskogee, Oklahoma, Police Department and the Houston, Texas, Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, and two sons.
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 Morgan gave the Muskogee County Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Muskogee community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morgan.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Muskogee County Sheriff's Office has lost 7 officers; 7 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 403 officers killed feloniously in OK, 69.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Joseph 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 1924, 1 officer at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 6 years on record. The heaviest was 1932, with 2.
In 1924, 7 officers in OK were killed feloniously, the 14th heaviest of 114 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 15.
In 1924, 225 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1924, 228 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 49. Of the 5 killed feloniously at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 38 and 49; the middle age was 44. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Joseph was 49. Of the 335 killed feloniously in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 49; the middle age was 42. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 4 years.
Joseph was 49. 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. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Joseph was 49. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Joseph had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 42.9% of these deaths at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office, more than any other month. Mondays: 14.3%.
June holds 11.4% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Mondays: 12.7%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 7 deaths at Muskogee County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 28.6% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 69.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 6.2% 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 officer's handgun, in 5.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was officer's handgun, in 5.2% of these deaths.
His people
Muskogee County Sheriff's Office has 7 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
6 officers from Muskogee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
