Roll of Honor
Incident
Sergeant Merle Niles succumbed to complications of a gunshot wound sustained on July 15th, 1960, while responding to a domestic disturbance call on Pleasant Street.
When he arrived at the scene he was informed by the subject's wife that the man was threatening to shoot her and her boyfriend. As Sergeant Niles entered the home the man opened fire with a .22 caliber revolver, striking Sergeant Niles in the chest.
Despite his wound, Sergeant Niles was able to talk the man into surrendering. The man was arrested and charged with assault with intent to commit murder.
Sergeant Niles was transported to Bath Memorial Hospital. He was able to recover enough to return to duty, but suffered medical complications and died on May 29th, 1961.
Sergeant Niles was a U.S. Army veteran of WWII and the recipient of a Bronze Star. He had served with the Bath Police Department for 10 years.
Sergeant Niles, it has been 63 years since you were taken from us. Northern New England law enforcement has continued to thrive, learn and become safer due to the traditions and sacrifices you, your family, and many others have made for us. Thank you for your military and 10 years of law enforcement service.
Chief (Ret) Steven Marshall Georges Mills, NH May 29th, 2024
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-6395105E- Stewardship
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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. Merle 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 Niles gave the Bath Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the Bath 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
Merle D. Niles served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Sergeant Merle D. Niles is one of 1 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 0% of all 97,759 officers honored here.
In ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 42.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Bath Police Department, 2 of 2 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Merle D. Niles's cause is highlighted.
How Merle D. Niles Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merle D. Niles is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merle D. Niles was killed by handgun; .22 caliber.
Incident Location
Military Service
Merle D. Niles served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.
Visit Merle D. Niles’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Bath Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
