California Highway Patrol, California
End of Watch Wednesday, December 25, 1963
Add to My HeroesMerle E. DeWitt
Officer Merle DeWitt was killed when his police motorcycle was struck head-on by an out of control vehicle.
He was returning home from holiday patrol duty when the vehicle struck him on the Santa Ana Freeway at the Rio Hondo overpass, in Commerce.
Officer DeWitt had served with the California Highway Patrol for 21 years.
Bio
- Age 50
- Tour 21 years
- Badge 534
Incident Details
- Cause Motorcycle crash
- Incident Date Tuesday, December 24, 1963
Most Recent Reflection
View all 13 ReflectionsSemper Fi motorman. Wearing the Blue & Gold and riding motors are the two greatest honors that a Law Enforcement officer can have. You are remembered and honored. Thank you for your service.
State Traffic Officer 7185 Mike Becze
California Highway Patrol & US Marine
December 25, 2022
Recent LODD Deaths
Detective Timothy Jones
Park Forest Police Department, IL
EOW: December 3, 2025
Specialist Sarah Beckstrom
United States Department of Defense - Army National Guard - West Virginia Army National Guard, WV
EOW: November 27, 2025
Reserve Deputy Sheriff John C. Stahl, III
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: June 8, 2025
Sergeant Terri Jean Sweeting-Mashkow
Indian River County Sheriff's Office, FL
EOW: November 21, 2025
Police Officer Alec Sanders
Alhambra Police Department, CA
EOW: November 20, 2025
Corrections Officer Jeremy Lewis Hall
Virginia Department of Corrections, VA
EOW: November 17, 2025
Police Officer Marc Brock
Vivian Police Department, LA
EOW: November 14, 2025
Corporal Blake Adair Reynolds
Delaware County Sheriff's Office, IN
EOW: November 12, 2025
Police Officer Roger Smith
WakeMed Campus Police & Public Safety Department, NC
EOW: November 8, 2025