A Chicago man serving a 40 year sentence for attempted murder of Chicago Police officers at the Dixon Correctional Center is now free. Former Governor Pat Quinn commuting Howard Morgan's sentence as one of his last acts in office on Monday, January 12, 2015.
Walking out of the Dixon Correctional Center, a cane in each hand, Howard Morgan is now a free man.
"I'm just thankful, thankful to all that have dealt with these trials and tribulations these almost ten years now," said Morgan.
Ten years ago, in February 2005, Howard, a railroad police officer and former Chicago Police Officer was stopped driving the wrong way on a one way street by four Chicago Police officers. Words were exchanged and then shots were fired. Morgan shot his gun 17 times, injuring three police officers while Morgan was shot 28 times.
In 2012, a jury found him guilty on three counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to forty years in prison.
On Monday, former Governor Quinn waved the rest of that sentence as part of 43 clemency decisions made on his last day in office.
"Thank God most of all and the Governor for his foresight," said Morgan.
Dean Angelo, President of the Chicago Fraternal Order of Police released this statement in response to the former governor's decision:
"The decision of outgoing Governor Quinn to commute the sentence of Howard Morgan who was convicted of shooting three on-duty Chicago Police Officers has angered and disappointed our Membership. To have made an 11th hour decision of this nature is truly a slap to the faces of those very Officers who were wounded that night in 2005; as well as to the faces of everyone in the Law Enforcement community. This individual made a calculated and conscious choice to commit an act of violence against our Officers by firing 17 rounds at them.
The contact began as a minor traffic stop because the offender was driving the wrong way on a one way street. This incident was another perfect example of how those in Law Enforcement risk their lives each and every tour of duty; and also how a routine encounter can turn into a tragedy without any provocation or warning. As others in the Law Enforcement community have already stated, the women and men of the Fraternal Order of Police, Chicago Lodge 7 are taken aback by such a complete and utter disregard of the violent actions that an attempted murderer committed against the very persons who are the front line of protection for the people of this City. To say that we are disturbed is an understatement of the uppermost proportion."
According to Tom Shaer, spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Corrections, commutation is not a pardon nor an overturned conviction. It just means the remaining part of the sentence does not have to be served.