The MN 100 Club is pleased to announce that Deputy Brody Merrill of the Pope County Sheriff’s Department has been named as the 2023 First Responder of the Year Award winner in the Police Officer Category. Deputy Merrill was nominated by a co-worker; all nominees were presented to front-line police officers across the State, and Deputy Merrill received a resounding majority of votes from his peers. 

 According to the nomination submitted, “On April 15th, Deputy Merrill responded to a domestic violence call with his partner and another deputy. The suspect shot both Merrill and his partner.  Deputy Merrill was saved by his tactical vest and returned fire and eliminated the threat. However, his partner, Josh Owen, was mortally wounded. Deputy Merrill performed CPR until help arrived. Deputy Merrill has since returned to work and remains steadfast to the call of law enforcement.  He now works to educate and prepare officers of the dangerous realities they face in protecting their communities.”

MN 100 Club President Lanee Noble and Board Member Jim Mortenson presented the award to Deputy Merrill on October 26.  

Deputy Merrill will be recognized for his heroism at the Minnesota Vikings home game on Dec. 31, at the Gophers Salute to Service game on Nov. 4, and at the MN 100 Club Anniversary Dinner on April 23 of next year.

Anyone who wants to support First Responders can join them at the Gopher Football game on Nov. 4. The first 100 tickets sold through the MN 100 Club website, www.mn100club.org, will entitle purchasers to receive exclusive access to the VIP Halftime Tunnel and post-game photos on the field. The Gophers will donate $5 of every ticket sold to the MN 100 Club.

The MN 100 Club is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1972 to provide emergency financial assistance to First Responders who are killed or critically injured in the line of duty. For more information on how you can support Minnesota First Responders, please visit www.mn100club.org.