Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority Police Department, District of Columbia
End of Watch: Wednesday, June 13, 2001
Age: 32
Tour of Duty: 6 months
Badge Number: 432
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: June 10, 2001
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Marlon Morales succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained three days earlier when he confronted a fare evader leaving the U Street-Cardoza Metro station in Washington, DC.
During the confrontation, the suspect suddenly pulled out a handgun and shot Officer Morales in the face. Officer Morales never had a chance to draw his weapon. The suspect then stole Officer Morales' service weapon and two spare magazines of ammunition and fled the scene. Officer Morales was transported to a local hospital here he remained in critical condition for three days before succumbing to his wound.
The suspect was arrested in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania several days after the incident when he was stopped by officers for a traffic violation. After a brief struggle with officers, he was subdued and found to have Officer Morales' service weapon and the magazines.
On May 24, 2004, the suspect was convicted on seven counts, including murder. He was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole on July 30, 2004.
Officer Morales was a United States Army Gulf War veteran and had been employed with the Metro Transit Police Department for 6 months. He is survived by his wife, infant daughter, and two young sons.