East Moline residents gathered at Morton Drive today, to honor the man who gave the street its name. This morning, the East Moline Police Department held a memorial for Richard Morton, an officer killed in the line of duty.
Morton was killed in 1969, when he confronted a man threatening children with a gun. Retired Police Chief Reggie Freeman says he grew up in the same neighborhood as Morton.
Credit WVIK Staff
Captain John Reynolds spoke at the service. He says it's important to recognize the sacrifice police officers make every day. And last year, for example, there was a 9 percent increase in law enforcement deaths.
Freeman says the Richard Morton memorial is part of a national effort to recognize fallen police officers during the month of May.