U.S. Marshal, former McIntosh County deputy dies in the line of duty

A U.S. Marshal who formerly served as the deputy sheriff in McIntosh County died in the line of duty last week.

According to the U.S. Marshals Service, 45-year-old Norman Merkel died of a medical condition while in the fitness room of the federal courthouse in Corpus Christi, TX on January 16. Other officers provided medical aid, but Merkel died at the scene.

Merkel had worked for 17 years for the U.S. Marshal Service in Texas. He was a supervisor in Corpus Christi and task force commander of the Gulf Coast Violent Offenders and Fugitive Task Force.

Merkel worked in McIntosh County with the sheriff’s department before entering the Marshals Service in February 2001. He also served in the U.S. Army.

Funeral services will be held for Merkel on Jan. 26 in Ashley, N.D.