Merrit Wayne Deeds

Incident

Deputy Merrit Deeds was shot and killed when he stopped to help what he thought was a stranded motorist. Deputy Deeds stopped to assist what he believed was a stranded motorist parked at the edge of Highway 116 approximately a quarter mile east of Highway 1 near Jenner. Unknown to Deputy Deeds, the driver, a wanted parolee who had served time in state prison for child molestation, had pulled to the side of the road to molest two 15-year-old hitchhikers that he and two male companions had picked up earlier. After making contact with driver and obtaining his drivers license, Deputy Deeds started to walk back to his patrol car to check him for warrants, still unaware of what had been transpiring. At that time the driver, knowing that he was a wanted felon, reached for the semi-automatic pistol, and the two 15-year old boys escaped from the car. As they ran into a field they yelled to Deputy Deeds that the suspects had a gun, but the driver was able to force Deputy Deeds into the back of the suspect vehicle. During the struggle, Rex Nance, an off-duty reserve deputy sheriff, drove by and saw what was happening and stopped to aid Deputy Deeds. As he approached Deputy Deeds’ location, the driver shot Deputy Deeds in the face and then turned the weapon on Reserve Deputy Nance and shot him numerous times. The driver then delivered a final shot to Deputy Deeds’ neck, took Deputy Deeds’ revolver and the suspects fled the area in their vehicle. Even though grievously wounded from several gunshot wounds, from which he would later recover, Reserve Deputy Nance made his way to the patrol car and radioed what had happened and the last known direction of travel for the suspect vehicle. The three suspects, 19, 21, and 39, were taken into custody without incident later that same night on Barnett Valley Road just south of Bodega Highway between Freestone and Sebastopol. The driver/shooter was convicted of first-degree murder of a peace officer and his accomplices were convicted of bei

Agency

Service Record

Incident Details

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Merrit Wayne Deeds's cause is highlighted.

How Merrit Wayne Deeds Compares

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merrit Wayne Deeds is highlighted in Aug.

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merrit Wayne Deeds was killed by handgun.

Military Service

Merrit Wayne Deeds served in the U.S. Army before joining law enforcement.

Visit Merrit Wayne Deeds’s page on salute.nw →

His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.

Others Who Wore This Badge

6 officers from Sonoma County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.

Lieutenant

Robert Lloyd Travelstead

Sep 1, 2021

Illness

Deputy

Frank V. Trejo

Mar 29, 1995

Felonious

Deputy Sheriff

Brent Charles Jameson

Oct 23, 1980

Accident

Deputy Sheriff

Bliss Steven Magly

Oct 23, 1980

Accident

Detective Sergeant

Edward Francis Wilkinson

Apr 17, 1977

Accident

Sheriff

James Albert Petray

Dec 5, 1920

Felonious