Maitland H. Mercer
Agency patch
Patrolman

Maitland H. Mercer

Felonious
End of Watch July 31, 1965
Age 44
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Badge 15815
Gender Male

Incident

Patrolman Maitland Mercer was shot and killed while attempting to make an arrest while off duty. Patrolman Mercer had entered a bar in his old neighborhood, and the bartender informed him that another patron was claiming to be an FBI agent. Patrolman Mercer waited for another off-duty patrolman, whom he was meeting at the bar, to arrive before taking action. When the other patrolman arrived, Patrolman Mercer led the suspect to a storage alcove in the bar to question him. When Patrolman Mercer turned away for a moment, the suspect drew a .22-caliber pistol from his waistband and fired at Patrolman Mercer, striking him in the back. Patrolman Mercer fell to the ground, and the suspect fired again, hitting him in the chest. When the suspect attempted to flee from the bar, he was shot twice by the other off-duty patrolman who was in the bar. The suspect fled into the street, with the patrolman in pursuit. The patrolman fired four more times, killing the suspect. Patrolman Mercer was removed to Maimonides Hospital, where he died about an hour later from his wounds. Patrolman Mercer was posthumously awarded the New York City Police Department's Medal of Honor for his heroic actions. Patrolman Mercer had served with the New York City Police Department for 13 years, assigned to the 76th Precinct.

Survivors

He was survived by his wife, son, and three daughters.

In Our Keeping

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Added to badge.nw
August 2, 2026
Last updated
August 2, 2026

Honored here by 1 tribute.

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Tributes

I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Patrolman Mercer gave the New York City Police Department 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the New York community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mercer.

— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993

Agency

Type Police Department
Location New York, NY
Platform Identity nypd.newyork.ny.us.gov.nw

Service Record

End of Watch July 31, 1965
Tour of Duty 13 yrs
Age 44
Badge Number 15815
Gender Male

Incident Details

Cause Felonious
Weapon Handgun

The Sacrifice · Felonious

Maitland is one of 15,742 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.

34,102 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.

  1. See the roll
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Compare against
I

Time

In 1965, 78 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 89th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.

Every year on record · United States
II

Who

Maitland was 44. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Maitland had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.

Age at death
Where he stood among them
Age by years of service
III

When

July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Saturdays: 16.3%.

By month
By day of the week
IV

How

Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 23.4% of these deaths.

Every cause
Weapons recorded
V

His people

New York City Police Department has at least 120 officers remembered here, Maitland among them.

Across the years
VI

Where

Patrolman Maitland H. Mercer

New York City Police Department · End of Watch July 31, 1965

Where the Name Is Cut

National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 30-E

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