Roll of Honor
Incident
Officer Merrel Kissinger was shot and killed by a prisoner he had just arrested for drunk driving on U.S. Highway 101 near Oceanside. During the transport to the San Diego County Jail, the suspect opened fire through the patrol car's screen with a .25 caliber handgun that was concealed when he was searched by another officer. The suspect was apprehended after failing to break out of the patrol car when the car crashed. The 35-year-old suspect, father of 13 children, was convicted of first-degree murder and sentenced to life on May 14, 1965. He was a free man in 1978. Officer Kissinger had served with the California Highway Patrol for 14 years.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-8F772407- 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.
Officer Kissinger gave the California Highway Patrol 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of California. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Officer Kissinger.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Officer Merrel L. Kissinger 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 CA, 974 of 1,837 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53% of this state's fallen. That is 1.2 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At California Highway Patrol, 71 of 233 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 30.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Merrel L. Kissinger's cause is highlighted.
How Merrel L. Kissinger Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to life
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merrel L. Kissinger is highlighted in Feb.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merrel L. Kissinger was killed by handgun; .25 caliber.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
232 officers from California Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
