Thurston County Sheriff's Department, Washington
End of Watch: Sunday, March 1, 1903
Age:
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: March 1, 1903
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 20 years
Jailer David Morrell was beaten and shot to death by an escaping prisoner at the county jail. He was locking a cell door when the prisoner attacked him from behind with a lead pipe had broken off of the sink. The man then fled down a hallway with Jailer Morrell in pursuit. During the ensuing struggle Jailer Morrell was beaten with the pipe and shot with his own revolver.
The suspect fled the scene but returned to the jail looking for protection after an angry mob of citizens almost lynched him. The suspect was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to 20 years.
Jailer Morell was a veteran of the Civil War.