William Morrison Corrections Canada

Mr. Morrison and another officer were making their rounds as usual at 3:15 a.m. on October 8, 1980 when they discovered three inmates who had escaped from their cells in a break-out attempt. The inmates overcame the officers in a physical struggle and took them hostage. They then barricaded themselves inside the cellblock.

For two anxious days, institutional authorities attempted to talk the inmates into surrendering but on October 10 at 6:45 p.m., screams for help from one of the hostages precipitated a rescue attempt by the Institutional Emergency Response Team.

A warning shot was fired upwards during the rescue attempt, however, Mr. Morrison was accidentally shot and found seriously wounded and died on the way to hospital.

An autopsy revealed that Officer William A. Morrison was accidentally killed by the discharge of a shotgun used during the rescue as a diversionary tactic.

Following the incident, all three inmates were held accountable and transferred to a different facility.