Merrill Police Department

08/24/2026

08/14/2026

Pfft-Donuts secure!

A big thank you to Dunkin Donuts for their support of the Special Olympics with their Cops on a Roof event today. Thank you to our officers for spending their time on the roof. Most didn’t even have to work today. We appreciate your commitment!

08/12/2026

What a great day fishing with a special group of people! Thanks as always to Little Lakes Memories, Silver Moon Springs, Merrill Park and Rec, and employees (current and retired) of the Merrill PD. Somewhere in the neighborhood of 200 # of trout came back home today after maybe only 2 hours of fishing. I think we know what’s for dinner!

07/27/2026

Tomorrow is the day! We would love to see you at Culvers!

You have the right to a great lunch
Anything you order can and will be made fresh
You have the right to fries
If you do not order fries, some will be offered to you
You have the right to fresh frozen custard
And remember that your meal today will help someone in need in our community
Do you understand your Culver’s rights?

07/04/2026

The MARC is full for parking and the entrance has been closed. Walk-in traffic is still welcome. Enjoy the show!

07/01/2026

We had a call for service yesterday involving patients who were suffering from heat related issues. Please consider using one of the cooling centers in town . The Merrill-Go-Round might be an option if you need transportation as well.

06/11/2026

There has been a lot of conversation, general complaints, and general concern about the advent of e-bikes and other related devices. We are not the only community with these questions and concerns. Any searching will reveal headlines across the nation including terrible crashes. As you can imagine, often times the technology outpaces any regulation but the graphic below is designed to simplify the current state laws for you in a format you can read on this platform. Please note our local ordinance exception for operation of bicycles on the sidewalk 36-181.

To simplify it even more, IF it is a legal conveyance then normal traffic rules do apply. The vast majority of complaints brought to our attention would be a violation on a traditional pedal bike as well (failure to stop as required, etc).

Generally speaking, most E-Moto's are not made to be street legal. There are very few brands making a street legal E-Moto and that would require title, registration, insurance, and proper driver licensing. Most E-Motos are designed for off-highway use.

The vast majority of concerns relate to children riding these devices. So this is a shout out to our parents. If your child has one of these devices, it's time to have a conversation about proper and considerate riding. If you don't know, bring them to us and we can tackle it together. As is customary, if you have any questions, give us a call.

05/16/2026

Just a reminder of the Merrill Police Benevolent Association concert TONIGHT at the Merrill High School Auditorium. Doors open at 6pm and concert starts at 7pm. Tickets will be available at the door as well. Hope to see you there!

05/15/2026

During National Police Week, May 15th is designated as National Peace Officers Memorial Day. Signed into law in 1962 by President John F. Kennedy, it serves as a lasting tribute to the Peace Officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Captain Elmer Krueger was shot in the line of duty on July 12th 1952 and succumbed to his injuries on July 19th, 1952. Captain Krueger remains the only Officer from the Merrill Police Department to have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

Please take a moment today to remember the sacrifice that Captain Krueger and all of the law enforcement officers who have died in the line of duty have made.

05/14/2026

This morning we were proud to celebrate the life of Mike "Mikee" Kunkel with his family and friends. There are so many great stories to share about the life of Mikee and we encourage you to continue sharing them with friends and family. We are going to share one that demonstrated what was most cherished to him. It is but one story that ultimately changed our department for the better in the long term.

Mikee was a senior Patrol Officer (PO2). By no fault of his own or anyone else's, our shift structure demanded he couldn't maintain senior officer rank/pay and stay on day shift where another senior officer was placed. Mikee wanted a more normal family life and voluntarily took a cut in rank/pay in order to stay on day shift where he could better spend that time with his family. That was a sacrifice we all witnessed and it didn't sit well with most people paying attention. Eventually, and it probably was after Mikee retired, our structure was changed to make sure that was a less likely possibility of ever happening again. Whenever possible, officers need to be recognized and compensated for their years of service, no matter what.

Mikee showed us that he wasn't just a solid officer. He was a great husband, a better father, and an even better grandfather. We are grateful to the Kunkel family for sharing him with us. To Mikee, we thank you for your service, your sacrifices, your words of wisdom, your giving nature, your partnership and everything else we can't possibly list here. You will be missed!

https://www.taylorstinewaid.com/obituaries/michael-mikee-kunkel