Officer Carl Wallace Mertes, 41, of the North Miami Police Department, was killed on November 5, 1980. He was on patrol and went to back up another officer making an arrest at a nearby park about 3 a.m. The suspect fled; Officer Mertes pursued and caught him. While attempting to handcuff the suspect, the suspect produced a handgun and shot Officer Mertes in the neck and under his arm. Officer Mertes returned fire and wounded the suspect, who was later apprehended in the park.

The assailant, described as a 32-year-old man in reports, was convicted of second-degree murder and received a life sentence. Officer Mertes had served ten years with the department and was survived by his wife, children, and step-children. The park where he was killed was later renamed Carl W. Mertes Park.