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Joseph Francis Merva
Incident
Chief of Police Joseph Merva suffered a fatal heart attack six days after responding to a multi-vehicle accident with injuries.
Chief Merva was the first officer on the scene. He provided first aid to several people who were injured after attempting to extricate a person who was trapped inside one of the vehicles that rolled over on to its roof. Once medics arrived at the scene he proceeded in assisting them in getting the victims into the ambulance and then directed traffic around the scene of the accident.
He returned to the police station after the accident was cleared and began displaying symptoms of a heart attack. When he arrived home after completing his shift he complained of chest pains and having a loss of appetite. He called off work the next day but returned to work the next following two days completing his normal shift work. While off duty at his home he suffered a fatal heart attack.
Chief Merva was a U.S Army veteran of WWII and had served with the Throop Borough Police Department for 17 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and three daughters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- 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. Army. One record, 2 gates. Joseph is one person.
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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.
Chief of Police Merva gave the Throop Borough Police Department 17 years.
Thank you for your service to the Throop 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
Joseph Francis Merva served in the U.S. Army (1952â1953) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Cardiac
Joseph is the only officer of Throop Borough Police Department remembered here.
Joseph is one of 118 officers lost to cardiac events in PA, 9.4% of the 1,262 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,307 officers lost to cardiac events in the United States, 4.7% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Joseph is one of 1,309 officers lost to cardiac events worldwide, 3.8% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1972, 3 officers in PA were lost to cardiac events, the 7th heaviest of 72 years on record. The heaviest was 1957, with 5.
In 1972, 11 officers in the United States were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
In 1972, 11 officers worldwide were lost to cardiac events, the 54th heaviest of 139 years on record. The heaviest was 2014, with 24.
Who
Joseph was 40. Of the 118 lost to cardiac events in PA whose age is recorded, half were between 44 and 56; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15.4 years.
Joseph was 40. Of the 1,249 lost to cardiac events in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 43 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
Joseph was 40. Of the 1,251 lost to cardiac events worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 42.5 and 55; the middle age was 48. Joseph had served 17 years; the middle length of service was 15 years.
When
April holds 11% of these deaths in PA; January holds the most, 11%. Sundays: 16.1%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; January holds the most, 9.6%. Sundays: 13.9%.
April holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; January holds the most, 9.5%. Sundays: 13.9%.
How
Cardiac deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Throop Borough Police Department.
Cardiac deaths account for 9.4% of all 1,262 deaths in PA, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 4.7% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 4th most common cause.
Cardiac deaths account for 3.8% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 4th most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Joseph Francis Merva served in the U.S. Army (1952–1953) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Joseph Francis Merva’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Throop Borough Police Department are honored on badge.nw.