Deputy Sheriff Edden Morris

Grady Co officers who died in the line of duty

Jason Clarke
The Tuttle Times

CHICKASHA; Some of their lives were taken by bandits, others taken by fellow officers, but all their lives were given in the protection of the people.

In the history of Grady County, eight law enforcement officers have died in the line of service. Four Chickasha officers, two county deputies, a Tuttle officer and a Verden officer, each gave a sacrifice that has been buried under time.

Sheriff Kieran McMullen has a plan to change that, however. In a memorial to be dedicated on May 31, Grady County will honor those law enforcement officers made the ultimate sacrifice.

Standing four and a half feet tall, bearing the seal of the county, the memorial will read "Those who gave all" and "We walk the streets they served."

Below the list of names:

Chickasha Chief Emmett Goodwin - Fairview Park
Deputy Sheriff Edden Morris - Rose Hill
Chickasha Asst. Chief Sam Scott
Verden Marshal Alexander A. Anderson
Chickasha Patrolman Henry A. "Texas" Tate - Rose Hill
Deputy Sheriff James A. Wilson - Laflin Creek
Chickasha Sgt. Herschel A. Smith - Rose Hill
Tuttle Night Watchman August G. Nowka - Fairview Tuttle

The dedication ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 31, at 5 p.m. at the flag pole in front of the Law Enforcement Center. Sheriff Kieran McMullen encouraged any surviving family members of the officers to attend the ceremony.

~~~~~

Deputy Sheriff Edden Morris
Shot Dec. 21, 1909

Deputy Morris was assisting railroad detectives when he was fatally shot.

He and anther deputy responded to a report that thieves had broken into a moving boxcar and had thrown slabs of meat off the train.

Searching the area where the meat had been thrown, the two deputies and two Rock Island detectives came upon an unarmed man loading large sides of bacon into a sac.

The men partially surrounded the suspect, and when he began to run, they chased guns drawn.

Gaining on the subject the officers began to fire. The suspect was struck in the head, but survived.

Through the high weeds, a bullet also found its way into the gut of Morris, fatally wounding him.