Roanoke City Police Department, Virginia
End of Watch Thursday, July 2, 1925
Add to My HeroesClaude H. Morgan
Patrolman Claude Morgan, Detective Ambrose Smith, and Patrolman William Terry were shot and killed while conducting a liquor raid on a house at 2nd Avenue (current-day Shenandoah Avenue) and 22nd Street, NW, in Roanoke.
At 9:00 p.m., the officers surrounded the house when a pistol shot suddenly rang out. In the ensuing shootout, all three officers were fatally wounded.
Patrolman Morgan was struck in the head and succumbed to his wounds early the next morning. Patrolman Terry was struck in the abdomen and succumbed to his wounds two days later. Detective Smith succumbed to his wounds two years later.
The suspect was apprehended a few days later and sentenced to life plus 18 years.
Patrolman Morgan was a United States Navy WWI veteran and had served with the Roanoke City Police Department for 3 1/2 years. He was survived by his parents and siblings.
Bio
- Age 29
- Tour 3 years, 6 months
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Incident Date Wednesday, July 1, 1925
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Sentenced to life
Most Recent Reflection
View all 6 ReflectionsRest in peace Patrolman Morgan.
Rabbi Lewis S. Davis
February 19, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Police Officer Kyle Hicks
Corpus Christi Police Department, TX
EOW: April 24, 2024
Investigator John Hampton Coddou, III
Harris County Sheriff's Office, TX
EOW: April 23, 2024
Police Officer Jordan Wingate
Oakland Police Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Police Officer Luis M. Huesca
Chicago Police Department, IL
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Tobin Bolter
Ada County Sheriff's Office, ID
EOW: April 21, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Alfredo "Freddy" Flores
Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, CA
EOW: April 20, 2024
Investigator Brian Herbert
Osage Nation Police Department, TR
EOW: April 17, 2024
Deputy Sheriff Fred Fislar
Hendricks County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: April 16, 2024
Police Officer Michael E. Jensen
Syracuse Police Department, NY
EOW: April 14, 2024