Walker County Sheriff's Office, Georgia
End of Watch: Saturday, March 18, 1922
Age: 66
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 18, 1922
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Executed in 1922
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.