Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

Rest in peace Captain Merritt.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

October 31, 2022

Grandpa,

Although I never got the chance to meet you, I think about you all the time. Grandma, Dad, and Jill miss you very much, and I know that you would be very proud of what they’ve accomplished because I know I am. We miss you, and there is not a day that goes by that we don’t wish we could see you. One day we will get the chance to meet, and I know when that day comes it will be special. I love you

Macie Merritt
Granddaughter

June 8, 2020

Raymond,

Twenty-seven years ago today you were taken from us way to early.
I'll never forget.

RIP,

Bobby

Lt. Colonel Robert Brannen
Tift County Ga. Sheriff's Office

June 8, 2018

Raymond,

You've been gone 24 years now.
Seems June 8, 1991 was so long ago, in other ways not long at all.
I think of you often and remember the good times.
I will never forget.

Rest Easy,

Lt. Colonel Robert Brannen
Tift County Ga. Sheriff's Office
serving since 1976

June 8, 2015

Time may have passed but you are not forgotten. I believe as long as someone remembers you or speaks your name, you are still with us.
Thank you for your heroism.
GOD Bless

Detention Officer A.Zambito
Texas

June 8, 2015

Raymond,

Twenty-three years ago today your tour of duty ended.
I'll never forget the good times nor will I ever forget that day.

RIP,

Bobby

Lt. Col. Robert Brannen
Tift County Sheriff's Office

June 8, 2014

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 21rst 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 who was murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered. Rest In Peace

I pray for the solace of all those that love and remember you for I know both the pain and pride are forever. Your family is in my heart's embrace. Thanks to your friends for sharing their memories and devotion to you through their reflections.

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

June 11, 2012

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

Officer 11169

April 3, 2012

Raymond,
You have been gone 19 years now, but it seems like yesterday.
I never told you how much or how many times you helped me.
You were the "big brother" I never had.
I think about you often and will never forget the many
times you helped others.
Ray and Jill have followed in your footsteps; I don't know what you would have said about that if you were here.
I know you would have been proud of both of them.
My son John has followed in mine.
I pray that God will protect each of our children as they have chosen law enforcement as a career.
I thank God for the 16 yrs we worked together and the memories of the good times we had.
I've tried to leave a post before and never could get
through it and I struggle now.

Rest Easy Big Brother.
You're Gone But Will Never Be Forgotten.

Bobby
Major Robert Brannen
Sheriff's Office Tift County, Ga.

Major Robert Brannen
Tift County Sheriff's Office / brother officer

September 30, 2010

I know that you've been gone for several years now but your still not forgotten. The way that you've influenced and changed lives is amazing! You sure have made daddy think about alot of things. Rest in peace Mr. Raymond and I only hope that I can be half as good of an officer as you were sir.

Academy Student Brannen
Tiftonn police dept

October 13, 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 10, 2007

Rest in Peace. God Bless you and your loved ones.

July 3, 2006

Thank you for your service Cpt. Merritt. Rest easy Sir.

January 23, 2006

Although it's been 13 years since your death,every Officer deserves a reflection. No one should ever be forgotten that gives their life for others. Thank You Officer Merritt for your sacrifice and may you Rest in Peace.

A Hero In The Night
Next time a cop stops you because you are driving too fast,
Remember he saved you from that day being your last.
When you think he's picking on someone,
Why not think of what they could have done?
Next time you call him a name,
Would he have called you the same?
How would you feel to see a child beaten black and blue?
And knowing there is not much you can really do.
You can arrest them and hope they stay in jail,
But, too many times it doesn't work that well.
To see the face of someone right before they die,
When he can't but all he wants to do is cry.
To break up a fight, knowing later it will be worse,
And from his help, all that came was him being cursed.
To know that people don't respect what he chose to do,
But day after day, he's out there to protect people like you.
To see drugs sold to a child younger than his own,
Makes his heart ache and long for his home.
The job has no glamour, doesn't even pay well,
He does it because he cares for more than himself.
He cares for you and he cares for me,
He's out there hoping we will all see.
He took a path not many would take,
And he chose it for our sake.
He's a remarkable soul, a Hero in the Night,
When all is well, he's not in sight.
But, if you ever need him, he'll be right there,
Not just because he's a cop but because he cares.
Author Unknown

Mother of a Police Officer

September 27, 2004

God bless you for your sacrifice and may you rest in peace.

Captain Scott Wright
Mount Holly Police Department, NC