Biography

Henry M. Morris served as Superintendent of the New Orleans Police Department during the first and second administrations of Mayor Ernest N. Morial, from November 24, 1980 to January 20, 1985. His service as "Chief of Police" capped a long and distinguished career in local law enforcement.

A native of New Orleans (born in 1922) Morris joined the NOPD in 1946 following his discharge from the U.S. Army. He was promoted to Sergeant in 1951, to Lieutenant in 1957, to Major in 1968, and to Deputy Chief in 1979. During those years his commands included the Sixth District, the Tactical Unit, the K-9 Corps, the Detective Bureau, the Patrol Bureau, and the Technical Services Bureau. He was graduated from the Southern Police Institute (Louisville, Kentucky) in 1955 and was also a graduate of the FBI National Executive Institute. In 1961 Morris received a Charles E. Dunbar Career Service award, two NOPD medals of honor, and, in 1984, the Louisiana Civil Service League's Monte M. Lemann Award.

Not only was Henry Morris a "cop's cop" (in the words of another former NOPD superintendent, Joseph I. Giarrusso, Jr.) and a historian, serving as president of the Louisiana Historical Association during 1981-1982. His interest in the history of the NOPD led him to make sure that important police department records were transferred to the City Archives here at the New Orleans Public Library.

October 1946 - January 1951: Patrol Officer, 2nd District

January 1951 – May 1957: Sergeant

May 1957 – January 1958: Lieutenant, 6th Police District

January 1958 – December 1960: Commanding Officer, Tactical Unit

December 1960 – April 1968: Captain, Commanding Officer K-9 Corps

April 1968 – January 1979: Major, Chief of Detectives

January 1979 – December 1980: Deputy Chief, Patrol and Technical Services

December 1980 – January 1985: Superintendent of Police

Topics

• Law Enforcement

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