Denver Police Department, Colorado
End of Watch: Sunday, October 3, 1971
Age: 30
Tour of Duty: Not available
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Gunfire
Date of Incident: October 3, 1971
Weapon Used: Officer's handgun
Suspect Info: Acquitted
Patrolman Merle Nading was shot and killed while attempting to quell a disturbance at 2201 East Colfax Avenue.
An off-duty officer came to assist Patrolman Nading and took control of a prisoner. As Patrolman Nading walked around his cruiser to notify dispatch about a growing crowd, he was attacked by two men. He was able to get one of the men into a headlock, but the second man grabbed his gun and shot him in the back.
A suspect was arrested but acquitted of murder.
Officer Nading was survived by his two sons.