Detective Rodney Scott Morgan, Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas

Detective Rodney Scott Morgan

Harris County Sheriff's Office, Texas

End of Watch Tuesday, February 26, 1974

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Rodney Scott Morgan

Detective Scotty Morgan was shot and killed by a Houston police officer after being mistaken for an armed suspect.

Detective Morgan and his partner were working an undercover operation and had gone into a bar at 4356 Telephone Road. Detective Morgan went to the bathroom and, after several minutes, did not return. When Detective Morgan's partner went into the bathroom to check on Detective Morgan, he found two members of the Banditos motorcycle gang assaulting him with a knife and were in the process of cutting his throat.

Detective Morgan's partner fired a shot in the air and then held the two suspects at gunpoint. Although injured, Detective Morgan was able to assist his partner in detaining the two suspects. Patrons in the bar called the police and reported a shooting, not knowing that Detective Morgan was a law enforcement officer. A Houston police officer arrived at the scene and forced the bathroom door open while announcing "police." Detective Morgan turned and also identified himself, but the Houston officer, not hearing him, fired once and struck him in the chest.

The two bikers were arrested and initially charged with attempted murder. One was found guilty of aggravated assault and was sentenced to five years.

Detective Morgan had served with the Harris County Sheriff's Office for four years and had worked undercover for two years. He was survived by his father and mother.

Bio

Age 27
Tour 4 years
Badge Not available

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire (Inadvertent)

gang member, mistaken identity, undercover

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Most Recent Reflection

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Scotty,
I think back on our teenage years and us camping out on the weekends when you, Aunt Sue and Uncle Ralph would come up to Bellville to visit Mawmaw, Pawpaw, Aunt Faye and Uncle Buddy.
Then summer vacation we'd spend a full week in the woods catching and eating fish, crawdads, bullfrogs, and squirrels.
Then during the two week Christmas break, we'd add swamp rabbits, ducks, and geese to that list. Gotta admit, we ate pretty good in the woods....Lotta protein.
Of course, most of this was before we got out driver licenses and cars. Some of our interests changed after that.
Then I joined the Marines at the start of 1966. The next, and last, time we saw each other was when I came home on leave in 1972. I reported in to base in California and mid 1973 went back overseas. Not long after I was sent a newspaper clipping telling of your being shot and killed. After reading that, many memories went through my head of our good times together. But one memory ended up a premonition come true....and that was your Mom, Aunt Sue, always telling us "don't take your guns in the woods. One day one of you boys is going to get hurt by a gun". She was right in the end, only one of us got hurt....and in a bar years later....not in the woods.
I sent your info to our oldest grandson that is a policeman here in Texas. He loves his job.
Rest in eternal peace. Scotty.

Ray Brooks
1st Cousin

May 9, 2025