KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Ofc. Christopher Ryan Morton, 30, was killed in a shooting at a home in Clinton, Missouri Tuesday night.
Before joining the Clinton Police Department, he was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard.
The Missouri Army National Guard told 41 Action News Morton served eight years, from July 2005 to November 2011 and from July 2012 to July 2016.
Specialist Morton was a combat engineer with the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in Kansas City.
Sgt. Barry Adwell at the 110th said he trained there once a month and two weeks out of each year.
Adwell said Morton had a great personality, was hard working and was well-liked by everyone.
He believes Morton's decision to go to Afghanistan was by choice - something he did as a bridge crewmember with the 1438th Multi-Role Bridge Company in Macon.
"He's departing his family and leaving everything he has behind. Committing himself to a cause. That patriotism that he had is self-evident in his willingness to help and support others," said Adwell.
Morton had federal deployments to Kosovo from 2008 to 2009 and a full year in Afghanistan from 2013 to 2014.
He also was a part of two state emergency missions in Missouri.
Here is a list of Specialist Morton's federal awards:
Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal; Army Commendation Medal; Army Achievement Medal (2); Army Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; NATO Medal (2); Meritorious Unit Citation; Army Service Medal; Overseas Service Ribbon (2); Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device; Kosovo Campaign Medal; Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. He was also awarded the German Armed Forces Marksmanship Badge (Gold) and the Driver and Mechanics Badge-Wheeled.
Missouri state awards:
Missouri Afghanistan Medal; Missouri Basic Training Ribbon; and Missouri State Emergency Duty Medal (2).
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