Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

S/Sgt. Merritt,
On today, the 20th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Coffee Country. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

January 3, 2020

You gave the ultimate sacrifice. The world is a better place because you made it a safer place for all of us. May God bless your family. We will all see you one day, in Heaven, in the presence of Jesus Christ.

Chief Lewis Cazenave
Currently Pulaski County GA SO

November 20, 2019

Rest in peace Sergeant Merrit.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

August 3, 2019

Deputy Tub were agreat manof the law and had live for every one .He will trulmiss love Joyce from Broxton,Ga :-)

Wanda Deriso
Friend

May 9, 2016

Rest in Peace, Deputy Merritt. Your sacrifice is not forgotten.

Officer 11169

March 24, 2012

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 12th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect and your memory will always be honored and revered. I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know the pain and pride are forever.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

January 3, 2012

January 3, 2000 will be with me forever. It seems as it was just yesterday, the horrible encouter we all had to go through but for you and James was the ultimate sacrifice (death). As I visited your grave yesterday all the horrible memories are still with me and forever. I will forever miss you...718 is 10-42

S/Tpr Stocks
GSP

January 4, 2011

Your tour of duty ended 9 years ago today and time has not diminished your
service nor your sacrifice.
Lynn Kole
Bellingham, WA

Anonymous

January 3, 2009

Just took time to visit your memorial, my brother. Just to let you know you are not forgotten. 718 you will not be forgotten!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cpl. Rodger Goddard #577
Douglas Police Dept.

March 7, 2008

SGT.MERRITT,
JUST WANTED TO SAY YOU REALLY ARE A HERO FOR THE SACRIFICE YOU MADE THAT DAY.I STILL TALK TO SOME OF MY FRIENDS ON THE PHONE THAT I POLICED WITH IN LUMBER CITY AND WE STILL TALK ABOUT YOU AND HOW YOU MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE FOR OUR BROTHER."GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN, THAN LAY DOWN HIS LIFE FOR HIS FRIEND".YOUR FAMILY WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY PRAYERS AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU ON THE OTHER SIDE.

officer anthony h. pittman
macon police

February 25, 2008

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

VANDENBERGHE
MANCHESTER, NH

December 31, 2007

"The Badge"
He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.
He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.
Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.
He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.
His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.
He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.
And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.
But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.
Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.
Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.
So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.
In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.
Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.
Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

October 8, 2007

Tub it has been almost 8 years now since you finished your tour of duty here. I sometimes still here you in the hall saying smooth are you ready for Friday night. I no longer work the ballgames but will never forget the goodtimes we had at them. I am now a little older and I understand why you would call me to chase the runners, I now get to call the younger guys for this task. One day when my tour is done i look forward to sitting and laughing again with you.

Detective James Hersey
Ciffee County Sheriff's Department

July 26, 2007

Tub, it has been several years since you left us. I still hear stories about as we sit around the S.O. I also remember the cheer that you brought among us all.. IN short, you are still missed and you have not been forgotten.

I ask for you to watch our back while you patrol the streets in Heavan.

Cpl. Rodger Goddard
Douglas P.D.

February 21, 2007

Rest in peace sir. Thank you for your service.

Shannon
Collins Fire Dept. (Mississippi)

July 12, 2006

Brother Merritt,

May the road rise up to meet you,
May the wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Respectfully,
You’re Brothers in Blue

Untouchables LE Motorcycle Club

January 19, 2006

God Speed, Brother.

P.O. K.Murphy
Union PD, NJ

November 21, 2005

In today's world the word "hero" is thrown around way too much, I think. However, here IS a TRUE hero. Sergeant Merrit, in no regard to his own welfare, risked and gave his life to try and save that of another officer's. May his family always find some comfort in knowing that he is a very special man, who has the respect of many. God Bless

OHIO

November 7, 2005

Thank you for being a hero Sgt. Merritt

February 5, 2005

You are a true hero Staff Sgt. Merritt. Thank you for your courage and sacrifice. You will not be forgotten. Rest in peace brother

January 3, 2005

Again we mourn as another hero is taken from us. My deepest sympathy to the family, friends and co-workers of Staff Sergeant Almond. May the Lord give you strength and bless each of you during this time.
Rest in peace for your watch here is over; walk in heavens beat and guide us all to protect and serve others safely.

US Ranger Catroppa
National Park Service Kennesaw GA

September 4, 2004

You're not alone in your sorrow; My Father was killed in the line of duty in Pearson, Georgia, on August 12, 1990.
When all of this occurred, it flooded back memories of that day and of the funeral with all of the flashing lights.
My prayers are with you. God Bless You.

Mardi Caraballo Mullis
Pearson Georgia

August 17, 2004

Deputy Merritt,

You truly are a hero. You layed down your life to protect one of your own. You bring a total new meaning to the word hero. You never will be forgotten. God bless your family and we all will continue to pray for them. God bless you!!!

Off. Justin Lindsay
Cairo Police Dept

To Tub's Family,

I can honestly say I know what you are going through.  I lost my father the same day just a few minutes earlier.  I would like to let you know that Mr. Almond Merritt had alot of courage and that I respect him for everything he did to try to save my daddy.  If your family every needed anything the family of James C. Bryant will always be here. Because things are going to get harder for all of us before they get easier.

With love,

Crystal Bryant

*Daughter of the late James C. Bryant.

Tubs and My Daddy will always be remembered as HERO'S!!

Crystal Bryant

To the family of Deputy Merritt and his co-workers.

May the good Lord watch over you and may he gently lay his hand on your heart and sooth your sorrow. Eventhough I do not know him I know him. Being a former police officer I knew him and I thank him for letting this world have him for a short time

Ray Guagliardi
Buffalo, New York