Roll of Honor
Incident
Special Officer George White was shot and killed when he interrupted a robbery in progress while walking his beat in Chinatown. Officer White had walked into a saloon that was being robbed at Sixth and Alice Streets. When the two suspects saw him, they both opened fire. Officer White was fatally wounded. The suspects fled the scene and were never apprehended. After Officer White's murder, it was discovered that his real last name was Merkel. However, he used the last name White when he was hired by the agency and everyone knew him by that name. He had served with the Oakland Police Department for 16 months.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, and mother.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-29F28ADE- 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
You barely got started.
Special Officer White gave the Oakland Police Department 1 year.
Thank you for your service to the Oakland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Special Officer White.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Special Officer George "Merkel" White 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 Oakland Police Department, 37 of 54 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 68.5% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. George "Merkel" White's cause is highlighted.
How George "Merkel" White Compares
Offender Outcome
Never apprehended
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. George "Merkel" White is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. George "Merkel" White was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
53 officers from Oakland Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
