Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Jonathan Merriman succumbed to a gunshot wound sustained on May 7th, 1870, while he served a warrant for theft.
Officer Merriman, along with three other officers went to the residence of a wanted suspect. The suspect emerged from the residence with arms raised in surrender then pulled a gun and shot Officer Merriman in the abdomen. The suspect also pistol-whipped a second officer.
Officer Merriman succumbed to his injuries on May 14th, 1870. The suspect fled the scene but was captured several months later and died while in jail.
Officer Merriman was survived by his mother and three sisters.
Survivors
Officer Merriman was survived by his mother and three sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TN-5D1B9674- 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
156 years is a long time for a name to go unread. Not today.
Police Officer Merriman served with the Chattanooga Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Chattanooga community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Police Officer Jonathan Merriman 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 TN, 498 of 769 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 64.8% of this state's fallen. That is 10.6 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Chattanooga Police Department, 19 of 27 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 70.4% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Jonathan Merriman's cause is highlighted.
How Jonathan Merriman Compares
Offender Outcome
Died in jail
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Jonathan Merriman is highlighted in May.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Jonathan Merriman was killed by gun; unknown type.
Others Who Wore This Badge
26 officers from Chattanooga Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
