On May 24, 1969 East Moline Police responded to 1352 10 Ave on a "routine" trouble call. Neighbors had called stating that Daniel Hougas was outside with a BB gun threatening to shoot the neighbor children who were reportedly playing on his lawn. Officer Morton and Officer Robert Butcher spoke with Hougas attempting to calm him down and get him to surrender the BB gun he was holding. An instant later Hougas pulled a .32 caliber revolver from his pocket and began firing at the policemen. Hougas reportedly fired five shots. Patrolman Morton was struck in the chest during the exchange of gunfire but was able to return fire, along with his partner, and killed the suspect. Patrolman Morton was transported to a local hospital where he succumbed to his wound during surgery several hours later.
While attending the FBI National Academy Chief Moreno attended the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC on October 17, 2007. In this photo Chief Moreno is reading Officer Morton's name during the reading of the names of by agency's represented of those officers who payed the ultimate price.
On December 19, 2007 retired East Moline Police Department Officer Bob Butcher was presented an award for his bravery on May 24, 1969 when Officer Richard Morton was killed in the line of duty. The award was given to Butcher by the Quad City Council of Police Chiefs. In this photo Butcher is shown with Chief Moreno at the Annual East Moline Police Department Christmas Party on December 20, 2007 where Butcher was once again recognized for the award.
