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Incident
Deputy Sheriff Joe Morton was shot and killed after being confronted by two known moonshiners. The suspects, brothers 14 and 18, had approached him and asked if he had a warrant for their arrest. When Deputy Morton responded that he did not, they assaulted him.
A struggle ensued in which the older brother pulled a gun and fatally shot Deputy Morton three times. He was convicted of murder and executed by hanging on September 1, 1922. His brother was sentenced to life but paroled on April 15, 1933.
Deputy Morton was survived by his wife and eight children.
Survivors
Deputy Morton was survived by his wife and eight children.
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.
Deputy Sheriff Morton served with the Walker County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Lafayette community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Deputy Sheriff Morton.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Walker County Sheriff's Office has lost 9 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Joseph is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 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, 52% of the 33,917 remembered here.
33,917 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1922, 2 officers at Walker County Sheriff's Office were killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1922, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1922, 228 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1922, 306 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 3rd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Joseph was 66. Of the 6 killed feloniously at Walker County Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 34 and 50; the middle age was 46.5.
Joseph was 66. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38.
Joseph was 66. 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 was 66. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at Walker County Sheriff's Office; February holds the most, 33.3%. Saturdays: 66.7%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 9 deaths at Walker County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 33.3% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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 handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 52% of all 33,917 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Walker County Sheriff's Office has 9 officers remembered here, Joseph among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 34-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
8 officers from Walker County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
