Roll of Honor
Incident
Chief of Police Merl Miller was shot and killed by a man who had sworn revenge against him for several previous arrests. The subject walked up to Chief Miller from behind and shot him four times as he talked to a man at a local gas station. The subject committed suicide after murdering Chief Miller. Chief Miller had served with the Westmorland Police Department for several years.
Survivors
He was survived by his expectant wife and son.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-CA-29FFB818- 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.
Chief of Police Miller served with the Westmorland Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Westmorland community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Chief of Police Miller.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Chief of Police Merl Harry Miller 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%.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Merl Harry Miller's cause is highlighted.
How Merl Harry Miller Compares
Offender Outcome
Committed suicide
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Merl Harry Miller is highlighted in Sep.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Merl Harry Miller was killed by handgun; .357 caliber.