John Ben Merz
Incident
Location: Illinois Weapon: Person Offender: Not available
Special Agent John Merz was struck and killed by a locomotive in the Illinois Central Railroad yards in Champaign, Illinois.
He had just been involved in a foot pursuit of a hobo and was walking through the yards when he was fatally struck.
Special Agent Merz was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtmktj2t0p5jsms5j94aq- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew John. Claim this record.
Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. John is one person.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Special Agent Merz served with the Illinois Central Railroad Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chicago community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Ben Merz served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has lost 12 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 354 officers lost to accidents in IL, 26.9% of the 1,318 remembered there.
John is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
John is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1949, 4 officers in IL were lost to accidents, the 24th heaviest of 115 years on record. The heaviest was 1927, with 11.
In 1949, 45 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 103rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1949, 54 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 99th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 55. Of the 344 lost to accidents in IL whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 45.3; the middle age was 37.
John was 55. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
John was 55. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
October holds 11.3% of these deaths in IL, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 11.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 14.1%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Tuesdays: 14%.
How
Accident deaths account for 16.7% of all 12 deaths at Illinois Central Railroad Police Department, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 50% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 26.9% of all 1,318 deaths in IL, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.3% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.2% of these deaths.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was person, in 0.1% of these deaths.
His people
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department has 12 officers remembered here, John among them.
-
Matthew E. McGrath
Aug 8, 1903
-
Victor C. Benner Dec 7, 1911
-
Cyrus E. Van Sickle Feb 11, 1916
-
Louis Edward Baum Jul 27, 1927
-
Joseph J. Kucera, Jr. Apr 29, 1929
-
Christopher O. McClure Feb 17, 1931
-
Frank M. Bolen
Apr 26, 1933
-
Richard Kelly May 30, 1935
-
Roy Dale Zearfoss
Jul 17, 1936
-
William Urban Sprous Sep 13, 1936
-
John Ben Merz Oct 11, 1949
-
Jess Anderson
Sep 11, 1950
Where
Military Service
John Ben Merz served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit John Ben Merz’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
11 officers from Illinois Central Railroad Police Department are honored on badge.nw.



