Alexandria Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Saturday, June 18, 2011
Add to My HeroesMorton "Morty" Ford
Sergeant Morty Ford died as the result of contracting Hepatitis C during a blood transfusion after being shot in the line of duty.
On November 26, 1974, Sergeant Ford and several other officers had responded to a robbery in progress at a state-owned ABC store on North St. Asaph Street. As they arrived at the scene Sergeant Ford observed two men get into a car in an adjacent parking lot on Montgomery Street. As the patrol car pulled into the parking lot the men in the car immediately opened fire on the officers.
Sergeant Ford rammed the vehicle as it attempted to flee and then returned fire. He was struck in the chest during the ensuing shootout. One of the suspects was fatally wounded and two others were taken into custody. Sergeant Ford underwent several blood transfusions following the surgery. It was later determined that he received infected blood during one of the transfusions. His health continued to deteriorate until he passed away in 2011.
Sergeant Ford had served with the Alexandria Police Department for 26 years. He is survived by his brother and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 64
- Tour 26 years
- Badge 542
Incident Details
- Cause Duty related illness
- Incident Date Tuesday, November 26, 1974
Most Recent Reflection
View all 21 ReflectionsMorty, you are missed but not forgotten. In 2019 I walked the Camino de Santiago in honor of you, Charley, Andy, and others from APD and lit a candle in your memory at the Catedral de Santiago (Cathedral of St. James) in Santiago de Compostela on the eve of the Feast of St. James. Along the Camino I carried a laminated Thin Blue Line flag with your name and EOW date on it so all could see your sacrifice.
Vaya con dios, Amigo.
James S. Peet, Phd, CFE
Former Alexandria PD
May 20, 2020
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