The Austin Weekly News first reported the shooting of a former Chicago police officer earlier this year.
Former cop and railroad detective Howard Morgan was shot by Chicago police Feb. 21. Morgan was shot 25 times following a traffic stop near his home at 19th and Lawndale Ave. Morgan faces four counts of first-degree murder, three counts of aggravated battery and one count of aggravated discharge of a firearm.
Two days before Thanksgiving, Nov. 22, Morgan was released from Cook County Jail after an anonymous donor posted the approximate $187,000 needed to release him before trial.
The anonymous donor called Morgan’s wife Rosalind and told her they felt Howard was not safe in the jail and wanted him home for Thanksgiving. Everyone was surprised Tuesday, Nov. 22, to see Howard Morgan and his family film on television as they left the county Jail.
AWN talked with Morgan briefly on last Tuesday. He was extremely thankful and wanted people to know how much he appreciated their support. A homecoming rally was held on Wednesday, Nov. 23, at the family’s church, where Morgan’s sister-in-law Bishop Connie Crawford Bansa is pastor of the Church of the Living God, located at 1739 W. 67th St.
Many people have been involved with the Morgan case; Vera Davis, president of the West Side Branch of NAACP; Rev. Jesse Jackson; Rev. Paul Jakes; former Alderman Wallace Davis; Rev. Marshall Hatch; Luster Jackson; WVON’s Cliff Kelley and the Nation of Islam.
Morgan, 54, was pulled over by police in the early hours of Feb. 21, for allegedly driving the wrong way down a one-way street. Morgan was returning home from his job as a railroad police officer. Morgan later said that he indicated to police that he was an officer, showing them his railroad police badge. The officers, he said, opened fire on him. Police officials said Morgan was resisting arrest and shot at the officers. Two officers suffered injuries.
A $2 million bond was set for Morgan.
Morgan was in the hospital for weeks following the shooting, handcuffed to his bed since he was arrestee. Morgan’s wife established a defense fund in her husband’s name after the shooting. More than $12,000 was donated to the fund.
The interview with Howard Morgan will be in an upcoming edition of Austin Weekly News.
