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Carl Wallace Mertes
Incident
Police Officer Carl Mertes was shot and killed while backing up another officer who was making an arrest. Officer Mertes was on patrol and responded to backup another officer at a nearby park at 3 a.m. When he arrived the suspect fled and Officer Mertes pursued him. He caught the suspect and as he handcuffed him the man produced a handgun and shot him in the neck and under his arm, causing him to bleed to death. Although mortally wounded, Officer Mertes was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who was apprehended in the park later in the night. The 32-year-old subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on April 25, 2019. The park in which Officer Mertes was killed was renamed in his honor, to Carl W. Mertes Park.
Survivors
Officer Mertes had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife, children, and step-children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtn5ac3c6ybt4bs5dk424- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Marine Corps. One record, 2 gates. Carl is one person.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Mertes gave the North Miami Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the North Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mertes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Carl Wallace Mertes served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1957â1961) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
North Miami Police Department has lost 3 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Carl is one of 536 officers killed feloniously in FL, 53.2% of the 1,007 remembered there.
Carl is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Carl is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1980, 9 officers in FL were killed feloniously, the 4th heaviest of 143 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 10.
In 1980, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1980, 141 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Carl was 41. Of the 496 killed feloniously in FL whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 44.3; the middle age was 36. Carl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Carl was 41. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Carl was 41. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Carl had served 10 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
November holds 7.6% of these deaths in FL; April holds the most, 10.1%. Wednesdays: 11.2%.
November holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Wednesdays: 12.9%.
November holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Wednesdays: 13.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at North Miami Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 53.2% of all 1,007 deaths in FL, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 19% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
North Miami Police Department has 3 officers remembered here, Carl among them.
Where
Military Service
Carl Wallace Mertes served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1957–1961) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Carl Wallace Mertes’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 19-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from North Miami Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
