PASADENA–A portion of the Foothill (I-210) Freeway in Pasadena was dedicated in honor of slain Pasadena Police Agent Richard Morris – 46 years to the day after his death. Agent Morris’ death marked the first time in the history of the Pasadena Police Department that a sworn officer was shot and killed in the line-of-duty.
The dedication ceremony was held outside the Pasadena Police Department where the highway sign was unveiled with a 21-gun salute. It was a joint effort by Pasadena Police, Assemblymember Chris Holden (D-Pasadena), whose office wrote Resolution (ACR 170) authorizing the memorial, and Caltrans who produced the signs.
A section of the 210 Freeway between Rosemead Boulevard and Allen Avenue will be called the Richard Morris Memorial Highway.
At the time of the shooting, Agent Morris was part of an undercover team investigating an assault on another police officer. A struggle ensued when officers went to the suspect’s home and Agent Morris was shot twice by the suspect. He had been with the department for seven years and left behind a wife and young son and daughter.
“This memorial was long-overdue,” Assemblymember Holden explained. “I was proud to lead the effort in the Legislature to add Agent Morris’ name to the list of those who died in service to the community. The process to get this Resolution passed was a lengthy one; however, I made a commitment to the family of Agent Morris through the Pasadena Police Department that I would make sure that this day would come.”