Roll of Honor
Incident
Policeman John Merget was shot and killed in a shootout with three tramps whom he and another officer were attempting to arrest as they stole items from a boxcar near Tamaqua Borough, Pennsylvania.
The men had fled from Barnesville after being caught breaking into several homes and businesses. Barnesvile officials notified officers in Tamaqua that the men were heading towards that town. Policeman Merget and another officer started walking the railroad tracks towards Barnesville when they encountered the men in the boxcar near the freight depot.
The subject opened fire on the officers, killing Policeman Merget. They fled the scene but were captured by a posse the following day. Two of the men were convicted of second degree murder.
Policeman Merget was a Union Army veteran of the Civil War.
No passage of time can ever erase your service and sacrifice. Rest in peace always.
Detective Cpl/3 Steven Rizzo Delaware State Police (Retired) March 16th, 2021
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-PA-48B1CB6C- 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 served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Policeman Merget served with the Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Reading community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
John Merget served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Policeman John Merget 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 PA, 597 of 1,261 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 47.3% of this state's fallen. That is 6.9 percentage points below the national rate of 54.2%.
At Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department, 4 of 4 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 100% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. John Merget's cause is highlighted.
How John Merget Compares
Offender Outcome
Convicted of murder
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. John Merget is highlighted in Mar.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. John Merget was killed by gun; unknown type.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Pennsylvania Coal and Iron Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
