San Francisco Police Department, California
End of Watch: Friday, August 8, 1958
Age: 42
Tour of Duty: 9 years
Badge Number: 1508
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: August 8, 1958
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life in prison
Officer Robert Morey was shot and killed by a subject he had just arrested for trespassing inside an automobile.
Officer Morey was called on to remove a man from a complainant's vehicle on the corner of Arkansas Street and Mariposa Street. He removed the suspect and placed him in his patrol car. While en route to the Potrero Station house, Officer Morey stopped the car and entered the road with the subject, who had drawn a concealed gun. Officer Morey attempted to grab the gun from the man, but was shot twice and killed.
An off duty officer who happened to be passing by was wounded when a round fired from the suspect's gun passed through his windshield. That officer fired back at the suspect through his windshield, emptying his revolver. As he was reloading the suspect fled into a park, taking Officer Morey's revolver and discarding his own gun. The suspect, a 22-year-old ex-convict, escaped, but was arrested after an extensive manhunt.
On April 30, 1959, the suspect was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life.
Officer Morey had served with the San Francisco Police Department for nine years. He was survived by his wife, three sons, 16, 13, and 5, parents, brothers, and sisters.