Merlin Eugene Brune Jr.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office — Harvey, LA

Veteran → Felonious

End of Watch July 12, 1977

Age 37

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

The Vigil Panel 118 ›

Gender Male

Incident Service The Sacrifice Military Department 14

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

Permanent identifier: BO-US-LA-B8C34251
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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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

Department Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

Type Sheriff's Office

Location Harvey, Jefferson Parish, LA

Platform Identity jpso.jefferson.la.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 12, 1977

Tour of Duty 12 yrs

Age 37

Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious

Weapon Rifle

Military Service

Merlin Eugene Brune Jr. served in the U.S. Navy (1958â1960) before joining law enforcement.

View full service record on salute.nw →

Sergeant Merlin Eugene Brune Jr. 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 LA, 364 of 595 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 61.2% of this state's fallen. That is 61.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office, 12 of 15 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 80% of this agency's fallen.

Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office

of 15 officers

80% Felonious

LA — Statewide

364

of 595 officers

61.2% Felonious

Nationwide

of 97,759 officers

0% Felonious