Tennessee Highway Patrol, Tennessee
End of Watch: Thursday, April 19, 1956
Age: 33
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: 171
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: April 19, 1956
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 18 years
Trooper Oscar Morris was struck and killed by a drunk driver at 11:34 p.m. while conducting a driver's license check on another driver on Highway 70 in Lebanon, Tennessee. Trooper Morris was returning to his vehicle when he was struck by a drunk driver, who then fled the scene. After checking on Trooper Morris, a college student whom he was giving a ride to got behind the wheel of the police car and chased the suspect. The student was able to stop the suspect and held him until other officers arrived.
The subject was sentenced to 18 years in prison on August 16, 1956.
Trooper Morris, a U.S. Army veteran, was survived by his parents.