Morton Marshall Ford

Morton Marshall ?Morty? Ford III, former Alexandria City police detective sergeant, age 64 died June 18, after a tenacious battle with cancer.Morty was born in 1946 in Ronceverte, West Virginia. He grew up in Newark, Ohio, outside Columbus. He graduated from Licking Valley High School in 1964. His mother, Louise Shawver Ford, was a teacher at the high school and his father Morton “Bud” Ford was a miner and businessman. Morty served in the Marine Corps between 1965 to 1969. Deployed to Vietnam 1967-1968, Morty fought at the start of the Tet Offensive and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. Morty was very proud that he helped design a logo for the “Hell in a Helmet? slogan of the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines, to which he was assigned. Morty joined the Alexandria Police Department in 1969 and spent a majority of his 27 year career commanding the Vice/Narcotics Unit. He earned a B.A. from American University. He was shot in the line of duty in November 1974, during a robbery in Old Town, Alexandria. Morty courageously persevered, returned to duty, and remained on the force until his retirement in 1996. However, health complications relating to that 1974 shooting followed throughout his career and retirement, contributing to severe medical problems and ultimately his cancer. Morty led the Vice/Narcotics squad in many major cases and received commendations for his work locally and with regional drug task forces. He was named Police Officer of the Year, received the U.S. Attorney?s award for the Eastern District of Virginia, and was credited twice with saving the lives of other officers. Though he put many criminals behind bars, Morty also re-directed the lives of some local youngsters who today say he saved their futures. Morty is remembered as a “cop’s cop” by his peers. Upon his retirement in 1996, he was commended by City Manager Vola Lawson and Congressman Jim Moran for his work and commitment to the community of Alexandria. After retiring, Morty re-immersed himself in his lifelong passion for painting, taking up watercolor and oil classes at the Alexandria Torpedo Arts Center in Alexandria. Morty was an avid and talented painter, with some of his paintings winning awards at local art shows. Morty is survived by his brother Gary Ford, of West Virginia, two sisters, Connie Harbaugh and Lois Scarberry, of Newark, Ohio, several cousins, and many friends. He will be interred with his parents in Greenbrier County, West Virginia. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to the Capital Hospice, 4715 North 15th St., Arlington, VA 22205, which provided such compassionate care to him, and his many visitors in his last weeks. A celebration of his life, acknowledging his friendship, the camaraderie, and Morty?s contributions to the Alexandria Police Department and the community, will be announced at a later time. Condolences and memories may be posted on the Website of Cunningham Funeral Home at cunninghamfuneralhome.net