Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Carl Mertes was shot and killed while backing up another officer who was making an arrest. Officer Mertes was on patrol and responded to backup another officer at a nearby park at 3 a.m. When he arrived the suspect fled and Officer Mertes pursued him. He caught the suspect and as he handcuffed him the man produced a handgun and shot him in the neck and under his arm, causing him to bleed to death. Although mortally wounded, Officer Mertes was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who was apprehended in the park later in the night. The 32-year-old subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on April 25, 2019. The park in which Officer Mertes was killed was renamed in his honor, to Carl W. Mertes Park.
Survivors
Officer Mertes had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife, children, and step-children.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-FL-F345C918- 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.
Police Officer Mertes gave the North Miami Police Department 10 years.
Thank you for your service to the North Miami community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Mertes.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Carl Wallace Mertes 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 FL, 539 of 1,008 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 53.5% of this state's fallen. That is 0.7 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At North Miami Police Department, 2 of 3 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 66.7% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Carl Wallace Mertes's cause is highlighted.
How Carl Wallace Mertes Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in prison
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Carl Wallace Mertes is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Carl Wallace Mertes was killed by handgun.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
2 officers from North Miami Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
