Officer Thomas J. Morrison, 74, was shot and killed by another merchant police officer. Officer Morrison was crossing the north side of 7th Street to go east across Joplin Street. Officer Dave Cavener was in the doorway of the Family Beverage Company on the northeast corner of 7th and Joplin went to his car, removed a 12 guage shotgun from the car and laid it across the car hood fired the shotgun and killed Officer Morrison. Officer Morrison was struck in the face, neck and shoulders with the blast and killed instantaneously. A witness testified that Officer Morrison did not have his hand on his gun. There reportedly had been an ongoing feud between Officers Morrison and Cavener. Cavener claimed Officer Morrison threatened him repeatedly and that he was afraid of him. Cavenor, 64, also held a deputy constable's commission that Constable I. H. Caylor revoked following the investigation. Cavener was convicted but after several appeals was granted a second trial and was acquitted.

Officer Morrison had served as a merchant police officer for 31 years and as a Joplin police officer for 8 years before. He was a Freemason. He was survived by his wife, Clara. Interred: Forest Park Cemetery.