Thomas J. Merry
Agency patch
Trooper

Thomas J. Merry

Maine State Police — Augusta, ME
Felonious
End of Watch July 12, 1980
Age 28
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Badge 332
The Vigil Panel 123 ›
Gender Male

Incident

Trooper Thomas Merry was killed when he was struck by a suspect's vehicle while setting up for a roadblock in Palmyra during a pursuit. He was attempting to seek cover when he was struck by the vehicle. The 20-year-old subject, who only suffered a broken leg, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to three years. Trooper Merry had served with the Maine State Police for three years.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife and son.

In Our Keeping

Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-1AD355EF
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.
Trooper Merry gave the Maine State Police 3 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Maine. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Merry.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Department Maine State Police
Type State Police
Location Augusta, ME
Platform Identity msp.me.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 12, 1980
Tour of Duty 3 yrs
Age 28
Badge Number 332
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Automobile

Trooper Thomas J. Merry 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 ME, 43 of 102 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 42.2% of this state's fallen. That is 42.2 percentage points above the national rate of 0%.

At Maine State Police, 3 of 12 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 25% of this agency's fallen.

Maine State Police
3
of 12 officers
25% Felonious
ME — Statewide
43
of 102 officers
42.2% Felonious
Nationwide
1
of 97,772 officers
0% Felonious

National Cause Distribution

How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Thomas J. Merry's cause is highlighted.

Felonious
1 (0%)
Accident
1 (0%)
Illness
1 (0%)
Cardiac
1 (0%)
Undetermined
1 (0%)
Suicide
1 (0%)

How Thomas J. Merry Compares

Age at Death
28
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 39.0 years
Years of Service
3
This officer
Avg for Felonious: 8.4 years

When Felonious Deaths Occur

Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Thomas J. Merry is highlighted in Jul.

Jan
1,392
Feb
1,295
Mar
1,373
Apr
1,516
May
1,504
Jun
1,442
Jul
1,587
Aug
1,517
Sep
1,491
Oct
1,371
Nov
1,447
Dec
1,624

Weapons Used Against Officers

Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Thomas J. Merry was killed by automobile.

Handgun
3,684
Gun
3,592
Gun; Unknown type
1,492
Shotgun
1,109
Rifle
935
Officer's handgun
909