Merle E. Nading

Denver Police Department — Denver, CO

Felonious

End of Watch October 3, 1971

Age 30

The Vigil Panel 109 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Department 73

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: April 2, 2026
Last updated: July 23, 2026

Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.

Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Merle. Claim this record.

This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.

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

Department Denver Police Department

Location Denver, CO

Platform Identity dpd.denver.co.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch October 3, 1971

Age 30

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Officer's handgun

Offender Acquitted

Patrolman Merle E. Nading 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 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 11.1 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.

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.

Denver Police Department

of 74 officers

74.3% Felonious

CO — Statewide

235

of 360 officers

65.3% Felonious

Nationwide

17,623

of 32,508 officers

54.2% Felonious