Patrolman William Malcolm Morrison Jr. | Star #9593

Patrolman William Malcolm Morrison, Jr., Star #9593, aged 51 years, was a 27 year, 8 month, 18 day veteran of the Chicago Police Department, assigned to the 16th District – Jefferson Park.

On September 4, 1987, at 8:19 p.m., Officer Morrison and four other officers, Patrolmen James Crowley and Thomas Argenbright of the Wentworth District, Patrolman Allan Adams of the Albany Park District and Sergeant Paul L. Tasch, Jr. of Area 5 Violent Crimes, were working special employment for the Chicago Housing Authority on beat 4580. The officers responded to a “man with a gun“ call in the area of 14th Street and Ashland Avenue. The officers were traveling Westbound on 15th Street in their marked squad car when they were broadsided by a brown 1977 Oldsmobile Cutlass which was traveling northbound on Ashland Avenue. Sergeant Tasch was driving and Officer Morrison was sitting in the back seat behind Sergeant Tasch. They received the brunt of the impact as the Oldsmobile impacted their car at the rear driver side door. The Oldsmobile was driven by Juan Soliz, age 39, of 722 North Willard Court. Recovered from the vehicle were one glass bottle containing amber fluid, two empty 12oz Miller beer cans and three 16 gauge shotgun shells. All five officers sustained severe injuries. Adams and Tasch were transported to St. Luke Presbyterian Hospital, were treated, and eventually released. Argenbright and Crowley were transported to the University of Illinois Research Hospital, were treated, and eventually released. Officer Morrison was transported to Cook County Hospital by CFD Ambulance #33 where he was pronounced dead on arrival by Dr. Douglas at 9:51 p.m. on September 4, 1987. He had sustained severe internal injuries which led to his death. Soliz was taken to St. Luke Presbyterian Hospital where he remained in stable condition, was treated, and released.

Juan Soliz was arrested and charged with reckless homicide, driving under the influence, failure to reduce speed, negligent driving and damage to city property. Through investigation it was learned that Soliz had been celebrating his birthday at Chesterfields Tavern located at 1820 West Pershing Road after he left work at 4:00 p.m. Soliz, along with several friends, consumed several pitchers of Heineken beer and several shots of tequila. Soliz stood trial and was found guilty of reckless homicide and driving under the influence. He was sentenced to three years in the Illinois State Penitentiary.

Officer Morrison was waked at Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home located at 6150 North Cicero Avenue. His funeral mass was held at St. Juliana Parish Church located at 7200 North Osceola Avenue. He was laid to rest on September 8, 1987 in All Saints Catholic Cemetery, 700 North River Road, Des Plaines, Illinois. His grave is located in Grave 6, Lot 17, Block 4, Section 108.

Patrolman William Malcolm Morrison, Jr., born February 16, 1936, received his Probationary Appointment to the Chicago Police Department on December 16, 1959.

Officer Morrison was a member of the Fraternal Order of Police, Illinois Police Association and the St. Jude Police League. He was survived by his wife, Mary Katherine Rose (nee Keane), age 43 and children: Jo Ann Slager, age 21, Julie Ann, age 24 and Patrick James, age 19. He was preceded in death by his parents: Marella Marie (nee Leies) and William Malcon, Sr.

Incident Recorded under Chicago Police Department RD #J381053 General Offense Case Report and J877287 Traffice Crash Report.

On July 23, 1992, Officer Morrison’s star was retired by Superintendent Matt L. Rodriguez and enshrined in the Superintendent’s Honored Star Case, located in the lobby at Chicago Police Headquarters, 1121 South State Street. In 2000, Chicago Police Headquarters moved to a new facility at 3510 South Michigan Avenue, Officer Morrison”s Star was re-encased in the new headquarters building lobby.