Mr. Donald Washington, acting deputy director of the U.S. Department of Justice, United States Marshals Service, sadly reports the death of Supervisory Deputy Marshal Norman Merkel.

Deputy Merkel, 45, suffered a cardiac medical emergency while he was participating in the agency’s wellness program inside the United States Courthouse in Corpus Christi, Texas.

Courthouse Security Officers rendered basic life support medical aid to Merkel and he was transported to the hospital. Advanced medical measures were employed at the hospital however they were unsuccessful.

Merkel was a U.S. Army veteran and served the U.S. Marshal Service for 18 years. He was the current commanding officer of the Gulf Coast Violent Offender’s Task Force.

Norman Merkel had previously served with the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Department in North Dakota for three years prior to serving with the Marshals Service. He is survived by his mother, two sisters and an extended family.

Deputy U.S. Marshal Norman Merkel is gone, but will never be forgotten.

EOW: Wednesday, January 16, 2019.

Norman Merkel

(Graphics courtesy Rose Borisow GrafX)