California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch: Sunday, February 14, 1965
Age: 39
Tour of Duty: 14 years
Badge Number: 1134
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: February 14, 1965
Weapon Used: Handgun; .25 caliber
Suspect Info: Sentenced to life
Officer Merrel Kissinger was shot and killed by a prisoner he had just arrested for drunk driving near Oceanside. During the transport to the San Diego County Jail, the suspect opened fire through the patrol car's screen with a .25 caliber handgun that was concealed when he was searched by another officer. The suspect was apprehended after failing to break out of the patrol car when the car crashed.
The 35-year-old suspect, father of 13 children, was convicted of first degree murder and sentenced to life on May 14, 1965. He was a free man in 1978.
Officer Kissinger had been with the California Highway Patrol for 14 years.