Frio County Sheriff Mike Morse dies at 65

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“He stands tall as a great law officer, father, husband, brother and leader”

Elected 2020 in ‘Service with respect’ campaign

Frio County residents are mourning the death of Sheriff Mike Morse after he lost his battle with cancer Monday afternoon, October 7.
Morse, who repeatedly said in interviews that he firmly believed he was called to lead the county as the top law enforcement official, won his bid for sheriff in November 2020. He chose not to seek re-election in 2024.
Prior to his election as sheriff, Morse served as a Texas Department of Parks & Wildlife game warden, a position from which he retired.
“I am not a polished person, but I am honest and I believe in integrity,” he said in an interview a month after taking office in 2021.

Although some described him as brash, an attribute he did not deny in describing himself as “a straight shooter,” Morse said he knew some people saw him as cynical, but added that he believed in using directness to get things done.

His approach proved successful in the retention of deputies, securing grants, creating a landowner reimbursement program after damage caused by smugglers fleeing from the law, and – an accomplishment that met a campaign goal he had set in 2020 – reopening the Frio County Jail as a full-time facility.
“It is simple; our motto is ‘service with respect,’ and by doing this we will create a rapport with the community to win their trust back,” the sheriff said.
“Sheriff Morse spent nearly thirty-four years protecting and serving as a lawman in the state of Texas,” Chief Deputy Peter Salinas said Monday evening. “He gave every ounce of himself to any person in need and cared passionately about managing and conserving Texas’ natural and cultural resources as a Texas game warden. He stands tall as a great law officer, father, husband, brother and leader.”
Morse was 65 years old and leaves behind his wife, Cayce; their children, Holly and Cole; and four grandchildren.