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Incident
Sergeant Merlin Brune was shot and killed while investigating a domestic disturbance in the 500 block of Oak Avenue in Bridge City. The subject had gone to his estranged girlfriend's home in Westwego, caused a disturbance, and left her home with the groceries that she recently purchased. Police officers from the Westwego Police Department responded but requested that the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office follow up because the suspect was living outside their jurisdiction in Bridge City. The subject was approached by deputies as he arrived at his home in Bridge City and retreated inside his home. As Sergeant Brune and several other officers were trying to talk the subject into coming out of his house, he opened fire through his front door, killing Sergeant Brune. The subject surrendered several minutes later. The suspect was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 21 years in prison. Sergeant Brune was a United States Navy veteran and served with the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office for 12 years. Sergeant Brune was expected to receive his degree in Criminal Justice from Our Lady of Holy Cross College the same day.
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. Navy. One record, 2 gates. Merlin 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.
Sergeant Brune gave the Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office 12 years.
Thank you for your service to the Harvey 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
Merlin Eugene Brune Jr. served in the U.S. Navy (1958â1960) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has lost 15 officers; 12 of them killed feloniously.
Merlin is one of 364 officers killed feloniously in LA, 61.2% of the 595 remembered there.
Merlin is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Merlin 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 1977, 1 officer at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1977, 5 officers in LA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1900, with 7.
In 1977, 128 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 36th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1977, 146 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 34th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Merlin was 37. Of the 12 killed feloniously at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office whose age is recorded, half were between 29.5 and 41.8; the middle age was 35.5. Merlin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Merlin was 37. Of the 310 killed feloniously in LA whose age is recorded, half were between 31.3 and 48; the middle age was 40. Merlin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 8 years.
Merlin was 37. 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. Merlin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Merlin was 37. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Merlin had served 12 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 16.7% of these deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office; January holds the most, 25%. Tuesdays: 16.7%.
July holds 11.3% of these deaths in LA, more than any other month. Tuesdays: 13.2%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 80% of all 15 deaths at Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 61.2% of all 595 deaths in LA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 7.4% 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 rifle, in 5.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was rifle, in 5.3% of these deaths.
His people
Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office has 15 officers remembered here, Merlin among them.
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Arthur George Miller
Nov 10, 1920
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Louis Cannaliato
May 5, 1965
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Kenneth Fleming Smith
Aug 31, 1976
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Merlin Eugene Brune, Jr.
Jul 12, 1977
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Robert Edward Cochran
Jan 30, 1978
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Joanne Couzynse
Nov 9, 1983
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Kathleen Angie Briscoe
Sep 7, 1988
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Curtis William Denton, Jr.
Jan 25, 1989
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Stephen Charles Newitt, III
Jan 24, 1996
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James Lee Clarius
Oct 5, 1996
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Joshua Everett Norris
Jul 5, 2007
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David Francis Michel, Jr.
Jun 22, 2016
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Alvis Joseph West, III
Apr 3, 2020
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Stephen Christopher Arnold
May 23, 2021
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Christopher Ohlmeyer
Jan 30, 2026
Where
Military Service
Merlin Eugene Brune Jr. served in the U.S. Navy (1958–1960) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Merlin Eugene Brune Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
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Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
