Roll of Honor
Incident
Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - Warden Service, ME
Game Warden Mertley Johnston and Game Warden David Brown were shot and killed while investigating illegal hunting of beavers near the Big Bog Dam on the North Branch of the Penobscot River.
After shooting both wardens, the suspect placed their bodies under the ice. Their bodies weren't located until May 22, 1923, by another game warden.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-ME-2B4A12AB- 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.
Game Warden Johnston served with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife.
Thank you for your service to the Augusta community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Game Warden Johnston.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Game Warden Mertley E. Johnston 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 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 12 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, 6 of 17 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 35.3% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Mertley E. Johnston's cause is highlighted.
How Mertley E. Johnston Compares
Offender Outcome
At large
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Mertley E. Johnston is highlighted in Nov.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Mertley E. Johnston was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
16 officers from Maine Dept. of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife are honored on badge.nw.
