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Incident
Lieutenant Merrill died of injuries sustained when he struck his head on the bumper of his patrol car after slipping on ice.
Survivors
He had been with the agency for seven years and was survived by his wife, two sons, and two 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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Lieutenant Merrill gave the Cache County Sheriff's Office 7 years.
Thank you for your service to the Logan community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Lieutenant Merrill.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Cache County Sheriff's Office has lost 3 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
James is one of 49 officers lost to accidents in UT, 35.5% of the 138 remembered there.
James is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
James is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,102 remembered here.
34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1974, 1 officer in UT was lost to accidents, the 7th heaviest of 42 years on record. The heaviest was 1987, with 3.
In 1974, 98 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 9th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1974, 106 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 13th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
James was 39. Of the 48 lost to accidents in UT whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 51.3; the middle age was 37.5. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
James was 39. 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. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
James was 39. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. James had served 7 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 8.2% of these deaths in UT; July holds the most, 14.3%. Saturdays: 24.5%.
January holds 7.7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 14.9%.
January holds 8.1% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Saturdays: 14.7%.
How
Accident deaths account for 66.7% of all 3 deaths at Cache County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 35.5% of all 138 deaths in UT, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,102 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Cache County Sheriff's Office has 3 officers remembered here, James among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 12-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from Cache County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
