Wayne LeRoy Morgan

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Wayne Morgan Obituary

MORGAN Wayne LeRoy Morgan, beloved father, author and retired Lieutenant of the Columbus, Ohio Police Department, passed away July 7, 2010 at Heritage Park Senior Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the age of 83. Wayne was born January 26, 1927 in Columbus, Ohio to Clarence "Roy" Morgan and Dorothy (Bumgarner) Morgan. After graduating from North High School, Wayne married Barbara Faye Snider (who predeceased him in 1980) and served in the US Army Armored Division until the end of WWII. In the 1990s, Wayne authored a book that related his police exploits, "The Coppers: Personal Chronicles of the Columbus, Ohio Police Department, 1935 to 1960", which became an instant hit with members of the police profession and was used as a University text book (see web site, thecoppers.com). Wayne joined the Columbus, Ohio Division of Police in 1948. In 1959, he was promoted to Lieutenant-in-Charge of the Homicide and Robbery Squads, where he promoted America's first female homicide detective Madeline Baker. After suffering from a severe on duty back injury, Wayne was forced into early retirement in 1965. Wayne moved to Churubusco, Indiana, where he founded, owned, and operated the Eel River Gun Club. He and members competed for decades in firearms competitions throughout Indiana and Ohio. Wayne was a life member of the Fraternal Order of Police, the American Legion, and the National Rifle Association. Wayne is survived by his four children, James of Scottsdale, Arizona, Jane Semones, Jackie Sherman, and Jerold all of Fort Wayne, Indiana; four grandchildren, Cody, Jordy, and Tony Morgan of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Kimberly Quinn of Caldwell, Idaho; one great granddaughter, Bethany Quinn of Caldwell, Idaho. In lieu of flowers, please donate to Columbus Police Recognition Fund. Please share memories and messages at the online guest book through the Columbus Dispatch.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Columbus Dispatch on Jul. 19, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Wayne Morgan

13 Entries

April 20, 2011

4-20-11
I am a member of the Whitley Co. FOP where Wayne was a memeber for many years. We became good friends over these year while i was the president of the lodge and Wayne was the secretary. I have just learned of his passing I am sorry i mist his passing, He was a woderful person and was well liked by meny of our lodge members.
Brian Anspach Captain Columbia City Police

Calvin Holt

July 20, 2010

I didn't have the privilege of knowing or working with Lt. Morgan while with CPD. I began my career there 1 year before he retired. But I did know and worked with a lot of his co-workers mentioned in his book. I bought the book and have really enjoyed reading it (more than once) and can relate to incidents he describes. He signed the book for me and sent me a little note with it. I treasure the book and note both. I did meet him at the awards and retirement dinner in 2009. That was great! To the Morgan family, thank you for sharing him with us and God Bless all of you. May your memories carry you through this valley. Remember, God is good, all the time.

Cal Holt
Retired Sgt. 1990

Madeleine Jo Wharton

July 19, 2010

To the Morgan family: My condolences on the loss of Wayne Morgan. What a wonderful man he was. I am the niece of Madeleine Baker, first female homicide detective, mentioned in the obituary. It was my privilege to listen to great "cop" stories at my grandmother's home when the officers showed up for lunch or dinner, Wayne being one of them. I had the best childhood listening to those stories and learning from those great police officers. Wayne was a wonderful man, dedicated to the police force and a great author. I am sorry for your loss.

Marja Verbeeten

July 19, 2010

Dear Morgan:
I saw through Facebook that your dad moved on. Our condolences. He sounded like a great person.
Bert and Marja

Helen (Bo) Smith

July 19, 2010

Please accept my deepest sympathies.

July 19, 2010

My deepest sympthany to all of Wayne's family. I was priviledged to know him for several years. I will miss him. May God give you all strength through this difficult time, and may your memories give you many happy thoughts of time spent with him.
Shirley Miller / Phoenix, AZ

July 19, 2010

I have just read of Waynes death in the Dispatch. You don't know me but he and I were members of the CMTC here in Columbus, OH many years ago. His Father and a Col. Marshall kept it together after it was dropped due to the war in 1942. I have many fond memories of him and his Father. My condolences to his family.

Jack B Rupp Sr.
CSM, USA Retired

Scott Hawley

July 19, 2010

Condolences to the family of Wayne Morgan. I grew up hearing stories about him from my Grandfather, Jim Carr, who worked with Wayne and his father on the CPD starting in the early 1950s. I also enjoyed his book; it was meaningful that my Grandfather is mentioned in several of the stories and it gives a good look at the police department so many years ago.

July 19, 2010

Thank you for your service to our country.

Blue Star Mothers
Buckeye Military Moms, Chapter 9
Worthington/Columbus OH

Jerry Morgan

July 16, 2010

My Father was always the first to jump in and help no matter what it took. He tried to see the best in people and defended people when they failed. He lived much of his life in service of his country and fellow man and will be greatly missed by his family and friends. Rest in peace Dad.
Jerry Morgan

Jackie

July 16, 2010

I remember being 5 years old and watching Zorro while sitting on Dad's lap. He was usually in police uniform, ready to leave for work after the show was over. One time, Dad and I were sharing a Pepsi. It was his turn but I wanted some so I pulled it out of his mouth. Ofcourse, Pepsi poured all over his uniform. Oops. Another time, after a seniorita slapped El Capiton, I turned around and slapped Dad as hard as I could. Oops. But he still kept on watching Zorro week after week with me on his lap. That's one of a thousand memories that have brought me smiles or outright laughter over the decades.
Thank you Daddy.

Kit Conrad

July 15, 2010

Family of Wayne Morgan:
May God be with you all. I wanted to let you know how much of a positive difference Wayne made in my life and the lives of others. I was a public safety officer full time in 1976, but just barely making financial ends meet. Wayne hired me (and other public safety officers) as a part time loss prevention officer. That lasted for 16 years. I was out of debt and a home owner with a family thanks in large part to Wayne. He loved Tex Ritter music and told me that I should also. I'd decided I'd better do that, and now am glad I did. Wayne never bragged on himself as he showed himself to us as a humble man. He spoke some about his past and his family. Both of which he was quite proud. Just know that I was proud to work for him. Kit Conrad, Retired FWFD Capt.

Theresa Morgan

July 15, 2010

You will be missed by your family and friends. You have touched many lives. May the memories of you help in healing of losing you.

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