Hundreds show up to say goodbye to Detective Tom Merton
On Thursday, twenty-two year veteran of the Sandy Shore Police Department was laid to rest in the St. Mathew's Cemetery. In attendance were his widow, Lillian Merton, his daughter Bridget and son Liam. Also in attendance were numerous family members, friends, well-wishers and representatives of the Sandy Shore Police and Fire Departments. Detective Merton lost his life on Friday, January 20, while confronting Christian Walker, the alleged Sandy Shore Strangler. Detective Merton, along with his partner, Detective Carl Spencer, were on a stakeout near the house where Christian Walker resided and responded to cries of help from Jackie Landon, who also resided on the same block was did Walker. As they drew close to the Landon woman, they found Christian Walker with his hands around Landon's throat in an apparent attempt to murder her. Ironically, Jackie Landon is the twin sister of the Strangler's first victim, Judy Landon.
Tragedy Strikes Jackie Landon Once Again
Tragedy followed Jackie Landon this past year. Last April, Jackie Landon' sister, Judy was allegedly murdered by the Sandy Shore Strangler, setting off a series of murders that has since terrified the young women of Sandy Shore. Each subsequent murder of a young woman in Sandy Shore that matched the same characteristics of Judy Landon's murder has been linked to one killer, knick-named the Sandy Shore Strangler. Since her sister's murder, Jackie Landon lost her mother to a sudden stroke, apparently related to the stress of her daughter's death. Then her father, Sandy Shore District Library Director, Richard Landon, contracted a deadly form of fast spreading cancer that has resisted treatment. On the same night as the attack on Jackie Landon, Richard Landon passed away in their house, only steps away from the attack on Jackie Landon on the front lawn of their home.
Accidental Shooting Takes The Life of Detective Tom Merton
As the two detectives approached the scene of the assault on Jackie Landon, Detective Carl Spencer drew his service revolver and ordered Walker to release Landon. Walker at first refused to do so as Landon furiously fought against him. Detective Tom Merton, fearing for the safety of Jackie Landon should a shot from Spencer's revolver strike the woman, tried to wrestle the gun away from his partner. In the tussle, Spencer fell over an exposed root popping up from the ground. Ironically, the root was from the same tree that Walker had backed Landon against. While falling, Spencer's gun accidentally fired and the bullet struck Detective Merton in the neck, delivering a fatal injury. Detective Merton was declared dead on the scene by the emergency response team responding to the officer's call for help.
Detective Carl Spenser Sustains Serious Injury While Christian Walker Killed
During the assault, Jackie Landon reported that a violent windstorm blew through the tree they stood under. "The wind was blowing all around and was strong enough to knock down a large branch from the tree," she said. "Thank God the branch killed Walker, but I am sorry it also hit Detective Spencer. I hear the doctors hope he'll soon come out of his coma."
The falling branch missed Jackie Landon, but struck Christian Walker, delivering a fatal blow to the head. Walker was also pronounced dead at the scene by the emergency responders. The tip of the falling branch struck Detective Spencer on his head. Due to the serious injury from the falling branch, Spencer remains in a coma at the ICU Ward of the Sandy Shore General Hospital. His doctors categorize his condition as guarded. They cannot guarantee that he will wake up from his coma, though they remain cautiously optimistic about his prognosis.
It should be noted that, according to WSSN News Chief Meteorologist, Mason Zamora, there was no substantial wind reported in Sandy Shore and other than what happened in front of the Landon house, weather wise, it was an unremarkable night.
Police Close the Case on the Sandy Shore Strangler
An investigation into a garage owned by Christian Walker discovered after his death, led to the identification of numerous articles of clothing and other personal items owned by victims of the Strangler. Documentation also found on the site detailed new victims the Strangler planned on targeting. Several of the items found in the garage contained Walker's finger prints definitively pointing to Walker as the Strangler. With the death of Walker, the police closed the case on the murders of the women killed by the Strangler, and they report that no further investigation into the cases are warranted at this time.
Detective Merton Buried With Full Honors
The Sandy Shore Police Force honored Detective Tom Merton with a full-force demonstration of their admiration for the fallen hero. After a twenty-one gun salute, Police Chief Anton Kaminski presented an honorary flag to Merton's widow, Lillian Merton. In the detective's eulogy, Kaminski said that Merton died the way he had lived, serving the people of Sandy Shore and protecting those who needed it the most. He also said that the memory of Detective Tom Merton will live on with the Merton Self Defense Program. A new initiative created in the detective's honor. The program will provide self defense classes to young people in our community, especially women and those most vulnerable to assault and violence. The program will be funded by a grant from the Barsotti Foundation and donations from local businesses. Any individuals, businesses or organizations looking to donate funds to support the new Merton Self Defense Program, should contact the Police Department for further information.