Police Officer Carl Wallace Mertes, North Miami Police Department, Florida

Police Officer Carl Wallace Mertes

North Miami Police Department, Florida

End of Watch Wednesday, November 5, 1980

Carl Wallace Mertes

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 subject was convicted of second degree murder and sentenced to life in prison.

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.

Bio

Age 41
Tour 10 years
Badge 44

Incident Details

Cause Gunfire
Weapon Handgun
Offender Sentenced to life

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Most Recent Reflection

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Officer Mertes...I never met you but I know you. I recently found out about you through a friend, your daughter, Tammy. Although you paid the ultimate sacrifice 5 years before I became a police officer, we are brothers. Your family is my family. I look forward to hearing more about you, your life of service and your first responder family. Thank you, Sir, not just for making the ultimate sacrifice, but for walking out of your front door everyday knowing you may not come home. Someone has to do it and thank God for the men and women willing to face down evil so the rest of us may live a life of peace. RIP Brother.

Lt. Tom Joyce
NYPD (ret.)

September 19, 2018