United States of America
JM
U.S. Army · United States 
John Ben Merz
1949
John Ben Merz served the U.S. Army.
How He Died
Manner
Accident
Cause
Multiple traumatic injuries
Mechanism
Bodily force
What Happened
Location: Illinois
Weapon: Person
Offender: Not available
Special Agent John Merz was struck and killed by a locomotive in the Illinois Central Railroad yards in Champaign, Illinois.
He had just been involved in a foot pursuit of a hobo and was walking through the yards when he was fatally struck.
Special Agent Merz was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Weapon: Person
Offender: Not available
Special Agent John Merz was struck and killed by a locomotive in the Illinois Central Railroad yards in Champaign, Illinois.
He had just been involved in a foot pursuit of a hobo and was walking through the yards when he was fatally struck.
Special Agent Merz was a U.S. Army veteran of WWI.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife.
Service Record
U.S. Army
Also Served
Illinois Central Railroad Police Department
Special Agent
In Our Keeping
Permanent identifier
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Record added
August 2, 2026
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Last updated
August 2, 2026
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