North Miami Police Department, Florida
End of Watch: Wednesday, November 5, 1980
Age: 41
Tour of Duty: 10 years
Badge Number: 44
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: November 5, 1980
Weapon Used: Handgun
Suspect Info: Died in prison
Police Officer Carl Mertes was shot and killed while backing up another officer who was making an arrest.
Officer Mertes was on patrol and responded to backup another officer at a nearby park at 3 a.m. When he arrived the suspect fled and Officer Mertes pursued him. He caught the suspect and as he handcuffed him the man produced a handgun and shot him in the neck and under his arm, causing him to bleed to death. Although mortally wounded, Officer Mertes was able to return fire and wound the suspect, who was apprehended in the park later in the night.
The 32-year-old subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison. He died in prison on April 25, 2019.
The park in which Officer Mertes was killed was renamed in his honor, to Carl W. Mertes Park. Officer Mertes had been with the agency for ten years and was survived by his wife, children, and step-children.