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LODI, Calif. A former Sacramento County Sheriff’s deputy with a documented history of drug abuse, dishonesty, and a widely publicized on duty overdose is now accused of stabbing his 11 year old son to death before leading officers on a high speed pursuit that ended in a fatal shooting Tuesday morning.
Elk Grove Police and the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the suspect as 40 year old Marvin Morales, a former patrol deputy who resigned from the agency in early 2024 after an internal investigation revealed he ingested fentanyl he had confiscated from a suspect and lied about the circumstances that led to his overdose.
According to Elk Grove Police, the children’s mother called 911 shortly after 8 a.m. after seeing her 11 year old son being assaulted by Morales on cameras inside their Ferrell Way home. Officers arrived to find the boy suffering from multiple stab wounds. He later died at a nearby hospital. A 6 year old girl who was also inside the home was physically unharmed and was later released to her mother.
Morales fled before officers arrived.
Sacramento County Sheriff Jim Cooper was among the officials who spotted Morales’ vehicle on southbound Interstate 5. The California Highway Patrol deployed spike strips, causing the suspect to crash near the Highway 12 junction in San Joaquin County.
At least two deputies and one Elk Grove Police officer opened fire during the confrontation. Morales was taken to a hospital, where he died. No officers were injured. CHP has not stated whether Morales fired a weapon.
Police said a gun safe inside Morales’ home was found empty.
Public records reveal Morales had a troubled and deteriorating history in law enforcement.
In October 2023, Morales overdosed in the bathroom of the sheriff’s Central Division station after smoking fentanyl he had seized from a suspect, believing it was methamphetamine. Deputies revived him with Narcan. A 468 page internal affairs report later concluded Morales had lied about key details of the incident and that drug testing of his hair indicated chronic use over a long period of time.
Investigators also said Morales admitted to taking a confiscated methamphetamine pipe home and using it multiple times while on duty in the months leading up to the overdose. The sheriff’s office moved to terminate him for dishonesty, but Morales resigned before the firing took effect. He later surrendered his peace officer certification in March 2024.
According to the report, Morales told investigators he struggled with severe mental health issues, job trauma, and suicidal ideation.
Elk Grove Police spokesperson Cristina Gonzalez, visibly shaken during a press briefing, said Morales’ connection to law enforcement made the tragedy even more devastating.
“This is the absolute worst thing I could have ever imagined,” Gonzalez said. “We want to protect people. We want to make sure everyone is safe and especially children. Seeing it happen like this is heartbreaking.”
Authorities have not released details about what was found inside Morales’ crashed vehicle. The motive behind the killing remains under investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
