Sergeant Morton M. Ford III

Morton Marshall “Morty/Marty” Ford III was born September 18, 1946 in Ronceverte, West Virginia, the son of Mary Louise and Morton Marshall, Jr. Morty grew up in Newark, Ohio, and joined the U. S. Marine Corps in 1965. He served in the Vietnam War and was promoted to the rank of sergeant before being honourably discharged in 1969.

On December 21, 1969, Morty joined the Alexandria Police Department and began serving as a patrol officer.

Around 6 p.m. on November 29, 1974, Officer Ford responded to a reported robbery at the Virginia State Alcoholic Beverage Control store at 901 North St. Asaph Street. Officer Ford notified headquarters that he could see two subjects running toward a parking lot on Montgomery Street. Responding to Officer Ford’s call were Officers James Ammons, Ed Templeman, and Detective Ken Howard. During an ensuing gun battle with the suspects, Officer Ford suffered a gunshot wound to the chest before two suspects were apprehended.

Officer Ford was transported to Alexandria Hospital, as was one of the suspects who was shot in the gun battle. Jesse Brewer, age 50, later died of his injuries at the hospital. A third suspect was apprehended a couple of days later. James Holmes, age 42, and Michael Leon Jones, age 21, were charged with robbery and attempted murder.

Officer Ford underwent surgery and received multiple blood transfusions. He initially survived the shooting and was able to return to duty several months later. However, he subsequently suffered serious health problems. It was discovered that he had contracted Hepatitis C from infected blood in a transfusion.

Sergeant Ford’s health continued to deteriorate and in early 2011, he was diagnosed with liver cancer as a result of Hepatitis C. Sergeant Ford died on June 18, 2011. He was survived by his brother Gary and sisters Lois and Connie. He is buried at Wallace Memorial Cemetery in Clintonville, West Virginia.

Gravesite:
Wallace Memorial Cemetery
Section N, Lot 704, Site 1
16155 Midland Trail West
Clintonville, Greenbrier County, West Virginia