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Incident
Staff Sergeant "Tub" Merritt was shot and killed after responding to assist other officers at an incident in which Officer James Bryant, of the Broxton Police Department, had been shot and killed.
Sergeant Merritt and a Georgia State Patrol trooper had arrived to offer assistance and were attempting to rescue Officer Bryant. As Sergeant Merritt provided cover, the trooper attempted to crawl to Officer Bryant. The suspect then shot Sergeant Merritt in the chest with a rifle, killing him. The subject was later arrested after being surrounded by officers from several agencies.
On November 15th, 2006, the subject, 55, was convicted of two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to life without parole.
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- August 2, 2026
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- August 2, 2026
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Staff Sergeant Merritt gave the Coffee County Sheriff's Office 15 years.
Thank you for your service to the Douglas community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Staff Sergeant Merritt.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Coffee County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Clyde is one of 549 officers killed feloniously in GA, 60.7% of the 905 remembered there.
Clyde is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Clyde 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 2000, 8 officers in GA were killed feloniously, the 7th heaviest of 149 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 16.
In 2000, 71 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 100th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 2000, 73 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 102nd heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Clyde was 53. Of the 481 killed feloniously in GA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Clyde had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clyde was 53. 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. Clyde had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Clyde was 53. Of the 15,854 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Clyde had served 15 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
January holds 7.1% of these deaths in GA; December holds the most, 10.6%. Mondays: 12.6%.
January holds 8% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Mondays: 13.8%.
January holds 7.9% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Mondays: 13.8%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 100% of all 2 deaths at Coffee County Sheriff's Office.
Felonious deaths account for 60.7% of all 905 deaths in GA, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the most common cause.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the most common cause.
His people
Coffee County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Clyde among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Coffee County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.