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Incident
Captain Raymond Merritt was shot and killed while answering a domestic disturbance call on Bill Bowen Road in Tifton. When Captain Merritt arrived at the home, he and other officers attempted to talk to a man who had barricaded himself in a separate building on the property after striking his wife and daughter. As the officers and deputies stepped onto the porch of the house, the man fired, striking Captain Merritt. Other officers and deputies returned fire, wounding the subject. The suspect pleaded guilty but mentally ill to the murder and was sentenced to life in prison. He died in 2013. Captain Merritt was a United States Army veteran who had served with the Tift County Sheriff's Office for 19 years and previously served with the Tifton Police Department.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- 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. Raymond 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.
Captain Merritt gave the Tift County Sheriff's Office 25 years.
Thank you for your service to the Tifton community, and 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
Raymond Bussell Merritt served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Raymond is the only officer of Tift County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Raymond is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Raymond is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Raymond 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 1991, 4 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 42nd heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 1991, 85 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 76th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1991, 98 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 65th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Raymond was 46. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 46. 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. Raymond had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Raymond was 46. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Raymond had served 25 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
June holds 7.8% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Saturdays: 20.6%.
June holds 8.1% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.
June holds 8.2% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Saturdays: 16.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Tift County Sheriff's Office. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 100% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% 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.
Where
Military Service
Raymond Bussell Merritt served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Raymond Bussell Merritt’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 37-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Tift County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.