Deputy Sheriff Joseph Washington Morton

Joseph Washington Morton

Deputy Sheriff Joe Morton was shot and killed after being confronted by two known moonshiners. The men had approached him and asked if he had a warrant for their arrest. When Deputy Morton responded that he did not, one of the men assaulted him.

A struggle ensued in which the suspect pulled a gun and fatally shot Deputy Morton three times. The man who shot him was convicted of murder an subsequently executed. The other man was sentenced to life in prison.

Deputy Morton was survived by his wife and eight children.