United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, U.S. Government
End of Watch Saturday, March 6, 1886
Add to My HeroesJohn Nathaniel Merritt
Deputy U.S. Marshal John Merritt was shot and killed in Lula, Georgia while speaking to the owner of a local distillery.
Deputy Marshal Merritt had accompanied a raiding party of other deputy marshals and Internal Revenue deputy collectors in search of illegal distilleries in Banks County. They were unable to find any illegal activity and returned to Lula to catch the passenger train south. They were in a local restaurant across the tracks from the railroad depot when the distillery owner entered and asked to speak to Deputy Marshal Merritt outside.
The man shot Deputy Marshal Merritt immediately upon exiting the restaurant and then fled. He remained at large for several years until being arrested in Texas in 1889. He was acquitted of Deputy Marshal Merritt's murder in 1890.
Deputy Marshal Merritt had served with the United States Marshals Service for only three months. He was survived by his wife and children, as well as his parents and four siblings.
He is buried in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Gainsville, Hall County, Georgia.
Bio
- Age 36
- Tour 3 months
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Location Georgia
- Weapon Handgun
- Offender Acquitted
Most Recent Reflection
View all 4 ReflectionsRest In Peace.
#2959
U. S. Marshals (ret)
March 6, 2023
Recent LODD Deaths

Trooper Alberto Felix
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Abbate
Nevada Department of Public Safety - Nevada Highway Patrol, NV
EOW: November 30, 2023

Sergeant Michael Moran
Cortez Police Department, CO
EOW: November 29, 2023

Detective James Michael Lett
Benton Police Department, AR
EOW: November 8, 2023

Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortiz
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: November 14, 2023

Correctional Officer III Jovian Motley
Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Correctional Institutions Division, TX
EOW: November 13, 2023

Sergeant Jon Arden Jenson
Fort Worth Police Department, TX
EOW: October 28, 2023

Senior Police Officer Jorge Pastore
Austin Police Department, TX
EOW: November 11, 2023

Correctional Officer I Kelly Bernard Rolando
Missouri Department of Corrections, MO
EOW: October 22, 2023