A former California sheriff’s deputy who overdosed on stolen fentanyl while on duty murdered his own 11-year-old son with a knife before being gunned down by police during a high-speed chase on Interstate 5.
Story Snapshot
- Marvin Morales, 40, fatally stabbed his son after the boy’s mother called police with safety concerns
- Morales had resigned in disgrace after overdosing on fentanyl he stole from evidence in 2023
- Internal affairs found he lied about his drug use and took confiscated methamphetamine home
- The tragedy ended with Morales being killed by law enforcement after fleeing the scene
From Hero to Horror: A Deputy’s Devastating Fall
Marvin Morales wore a badge and carried the public’s trust until October 2023, when deputies found him unconscious in a Sacramento County Sheriff’s bathroom. The 40-year-old had overdosed on fentanyl he believed was methamphetamine—drugs he had stolen from evidence two months earlier. Paramedics administered Narcan to save his life, but the incident would expose a web of deception that ultimately cost his son everything.
The internal affairs investigation that followed painted a damning picture. Morales had seized the drugs from a suspect in August 2023, reporting that he disposed of a methamphetamine pipe properly. Instead, he took it home. When confronted about his overdose, he lied repeatedly about his drug use, even as methamphetamine coursed through his system.
The Unraveling of a Law Enforcement Career
The 468-page internal affairs report documented Morales’ systematic dishonesty and substance abuse. Rather than face termination proceedings, he submitted his resignation in February 2024, citing personal reasons. The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office had already decided to fire him. He voluntarily disqualified himself from ever serving as a peace officer again, essentially admitting his unfitness for law enforcement.
But removing a badge doesn’t remove underlying demons. Morales’ substance abuse and pattern of deception continued to fester, creating a ticking time bomb that would explode in the most horrific way imaginable. The warning signs were documented, investigated, and filed away while a family remained in potential danger.
A Mother’s Desperate Call and a Child’s Final Moments
December 2, 2025, began with a mother’s intuition screaming danger. She called Elk Grove police around 8:00 AM, expressing concerns for her two children’s safety while they were with their father. By the time officers arrived, they discovered an 11-year-old boy with fatal stab wounds. The child was rushed to the hospital but couldn’t be saved.
Morales had fled before police arrived, leaving behind a six-year-old sibling who witnessed unspeakable horror. The man who once swore to protect and serve had committed the ultimate betrayal—murdering his own child. His final act as a fugitive was a high-speed chase down Interstate 5 that ended when law enforcement officers shot him dead, closing a tragic chapter that should have been prevented.
Sources:
