Roll of Honor
Incident
Patrolman Merle Nading was shot and killed while attempting to quell a disturbance at 2201 East Colfax Avenue. An off-duty officer came to assist Patrolman Nading and took control of a prisoner. As Patrolman Nading walked around his cruiser to notify dispatch about a growing crowd, he was attacked by two men. He was able to get one of the men into a headlock, but the second man grabbed his gun and shot him in the back. A suspect was arrested but acquitted of murder.
Survivors
Officer Nading was survived by his two sons.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CO-47BAB889- Stewardship
- 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.
Patrolman Nading served with the Denver Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Denver community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Nading.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Patrolman Merle E. Nading 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 97,772 officers honored here.
In CO, 235 of 360 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 65.3% of this state's fallen. That is 65.3 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.
At Denver Police Department, 55 of 74 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 74.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Merle E. Nading's cause is highlighted.
How Merle E. Nading Compares
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merle E. Nading is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merle E. Nading was killed by officer's handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
73 officers from Denver Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
