Prev
Incident
Patrolman Lafayette Mercer was shot and killed while attempting to arrest a man for threatening his wife at his home on Adams Street. The man, who was drunk and high on drugs, was known to Patrolman Mercer. After talking to the man for a short time Patrolman Mercer told him he would have to go to jail. As Patrolman Mercer stood up the suspect pulled a .32 caliber revolver from his pocket and started firing. Despite being shot four times, Patrolman Mercer was able to return fire and fatally wounded the suspect. Patrolman Mercer had served with the agency for 20 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, daughter, mother, and several brothers and sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
neuraspine_01krbxtpm0tne27fkmbn6xf11n- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
Are you family? This record can be claimed and maintained by those who knew Lafayette. Claim this record.
This page is permanent and free. No fee to view it, no advertising, no tracking, and no account required. It will not be taken down.
Tributes
20 years. You could have gone home.
Patrolman Mercer gave the Steubenville Police Department 20 years. Still answering calls at the end.
Thank you for your service to the Steubenville community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Patrolman Mercer.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Steubenville Police Department has lost 6 officers; 4 of them killed feloniously.
Lafayette is one of 572 officers killed feloniously in OH, 57.6% of the 993 remembered there.
Lafayette is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Lafayette is one of 17,631 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1914, 5 officers in OH were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 154 years on record. The heaviest was 1916, with 17.
In 1914, 127 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 37th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1914, 127 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 45th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Lafayette was 52. Of the 552 killed feloniously in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lafayette had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 7 years.
Lafayette was 52. Of the 14,220 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Lafayette had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Lafayette was 52. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Lafayette had served 20 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
July holds 9.6% of these deaths in OH; December holds the most, 9.6%. Thursdays: 15.4%.
July holds 9.3% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Thursdays: 14%.
July holds 9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Thursdays: 14.1%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 66.7% of all 6 deaths at Steubenville Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.6% of all 993 deaths in OH, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 31.6% of these deaths.
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.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was handgun, in 20.9% of these deaths.
His people
Steubenville Police Department has 6 officers remembered here, Lafayette among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 63-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
5 officers from Steubenville Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
