Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation Opens Investigation into Civilian Deaths in Rockland County

NEW YORK – The New York Attorney General’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI) has opened an investigation into the deaths of a husband and wife and their two sons, who died on December 30, 2023 in New City, Rockland County.

At approximately 12:15 a.m. on December 30, Clarkstown Police Department (CPD) received a call from the Bronxville Police Department (BPD) asking for a wellness check at the home of BPD Sergeant Watson Morgan, who had not shown up for his 11:30 p.m. shift. CPD officers arrived at the residence and found Sgt. Morgan, his wife, and their two children dead from apparent gunshot wounds to the head. Sgt. Morgan’s gunshot wound is alleged to be self-inflicted.

Pursuant to New York State Executive Law Section 70-b, OSI assesses every incident reported to it where a police officer or a peace officer, including a corrections officer, may have caused the death of a person by an act or omission. Under the law, the officer may be on-duty or off-duty, and the decedent may be armed or unarmed. Also, the decedent may or may not be in custody or incarcerated. If OSI’s assessment indicates an officer may have caused the death, OSI proceeds to conduct a full investigation of the incident. 

These are preliminary facts and subject to change.