Deputy Sheriff Edward A. 'Bud' Morrow, a 53-year-old law enforcement officer, was tragically shot and killed in his home in the small town of Granite, Oregon, on March 6, 1982. Granite, with only 20 residents, was a remote and isolated community accessible only four months out of the year and lacked basic amenities such as phones. Morrow served not only as the town's sole law enforcement officer but also as its mayor.
He had dedicated 12 years of his life to serving as a special deputy sheriff and had previously acted as the town's caretaker before his appointment.
The incident that led to Morrow's death was a premeditated act of violence orchestrated by two local residents, a mother and daughter, who held a grudge against him. These women, identified as part of the plot, arranged for an out-of-town house guest to carry out the murder. On the day of the incident, Morrow's body was discovered by a snowmobile rider who had stopped to visit him. The autopsy revealed that Morrow had been shot in the face with a hunting rifle.
The investigation into Morrow's murder led to the swift arrest of the three suspects involved. The arrests were made just two days after the discovery of Morrow's body. The two women, who had masterminded the plot, were subsequently convicted of murder. Despite their serious crime, they were paroled after serving only 10 years of their sentences. The male suspect, who was the actual perpetrator of the shooting, was convicted of burglary but faced additional charges in Connecticut, including assaulting a police officer.
One of the key suspects, Adeline Hollemon, a 65-year-old woman, was directly involved in the ambush and had a history of conflict with Morrow. She had previously fought with him and had arranged the ambush at his remote cabin. Although Hollemon was twice declared mentally unfit for trial, she was eventually convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Notably, she did not have a reported prohibiting criminal history that would have barred her from possessing firearms.
The case highlights the complexities and challenges faced by law enforcement in remote and isolated communities, as well as the personal risks officers like Deputy Sheriff Edward A. 'Bud' Morrow undertake in serving and protecting their communities. Morrow's dedication and service to the town of Granite are remembered, and his sacrifice is honored by those who knew him and by the law enforcement community at large.
