Maitland H. Mercer

New York City Police Department — New York, NY

Felonious

End of Watch July 31, 1965

Age 44

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Badge 15815

The Vigil Panel 100 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 1,236

Incident

Patrolman Maitland Mercer was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest while off duty. Patrolman Mercer had entered a bar in his old neighborhood, and the bartender informed him that another patron was claiming to be an FBI agent. Patrolman Mercer waited for another off-duty patrolman, whom he was meeting at the bar, to arrive before taking action. When the other patrolman arrived, Patrolman Mercer led the suspect to a storage alcove in the bar to question him. When Patrolman Mercer turned away for a moment, the suspect drew a .22-caliber pistol from his waistband and fired at Patrolman Mercer, striking him in the back. Patrolman Mercer fell to the ground, and the suspect fired again, hitting him in the chest. When the suspect attempted to flee from the bar, he was shot twice by the other off-duty patrolman who was in the bar. The suspect fled into the street, with the patrolman in pursuit. The patrolman fired four more times, killing the suspect. Patrolman Mercer was removed to Maimonides Hospital, where he died about an hour later from his wounds. Patrolman Mercer was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions. Patrolman Mercer had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years, assigned to the 76th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier: BO-US-NY-28D07E31
Stewardship: Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
Added to badge.nw: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Mercer gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mercer.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department New York City Police Department

Location New York, NY

Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 31, 1965

Tour of Duty 13 yrs

Age 44

Badge Number 15815

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Handgun; .22 caliber

Offender Shot and killed

Patrolman Maitland H. Mercer is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.

In NY, 754 of 2,147 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.1% of this state's fallen. That is 19.1 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.

At New York City Police Department, 382 of 1237 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.9% of this agency's fallen.

New York City Police Department

382

of 1,237 officers

30.9% Felonious

NY — Statewide

754

of 2,147 officers

35.1% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious