St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office, Florida
End of Watch: Thursday, February 28, 2013
Age: 35
Tour of Duty: 13 years
Badge Number: 166
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 28, 2013
Weapon Used: Gun; Unknown type
Suspect Info: Sentenced to death
Sergeant Gary Morales was shot and killed while making a traffic stop in the 3200 block of Naylor Terrace, near Edwards Road, at approximately 9:30 am.
During the stop a subject exited the stopped vehicle and opened fire, striking Sergeant Morales as he sat in his patrol car. He was transported to Lawnwood Regional Medical Center and Heart Institute where he was pronounced dead.
The subject was taken into custody. On April 29, 2016, he was convicted of murder and sentenced to death.
Sergeant Morales was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office for 13 years. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, and his brother.