Merry retires as Gar/Pal officer

Garth Meyer, Gazette Reporter | Nov 30, 20170

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Officer Merry

Joe Merry outside the Palouse Police Department on his last day, Nov. 28.

Garfield/Palouse police officer Joe Merry worked his last day on Tuesday, after 14 years in the two communities, beginning as Garfield town marshal in 2003.

Five years in, he was hired as an Officer-in-Charge for the city of Palouse. A year later, an agreement between the two towns made it so Garfield contracted its police from Palouse. So Merry was at work in both towns for nine years until his retirement.

“We’re losing a real base of knowledge,” said Palouse Chief Jerry Neumann. “We’ll lose a calming force. I think he’s well-liked in both communities. Joe’s the kind of guy you want to work with.”

His last official day is Dec. 31 – a span to be made up of accrued leave time.

“Joe Merry is the finest peace officer I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with,” said Michael Echanove, Palouse mayor. “Joe’s got a very good demeanor about him. He always works to solve problems. Joe is a true professional.”

Merry began his law enforcement career after spending seven years in the Army. Serving as a paratrooper in the 82nd Airborne in the 1970s, he was later assigned as a drill sergeant, stationed at Fort Benning, Ga .; Fort Jackson, S.C., and Ft. Lewis, Wash. Merry finished as a staff sergeant.

His first police job was in Sunnyside in 1982 as a reserve for the Sunnyside Police Department.

Later hired as a full-time officer, he went to the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Academy in Burien.

As an officer for the City of Goldendale and the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Department, Merry became a detective, taught DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) to school kids, worked with Law Enforcement Against Drugs (LEAD) and as a Task Force narcotics detective. All told, he reached the rank of Lieutenant, Chief of Investigations and Undersheriff.

Now he finishes his career in Palouse.

“Thirty-five years in law enforcement. It’s been a good ride,” said Merry, who lives in Garfield. “In these smaller communities, what a way to finish your career. I’ve enjoyed my service to the Palouse and Garfield communities and feel the small town environments in Whitman County are great for raising kids.”

His plans for retirement include a complete knee replacement Dec. 6.

After he recovers, he’ll be on the roster as a reserve officer in Palouse.

“According to Chief Neumann,” Merry said. “I told him if you’ve got someone else to call first, go right ahead.”

What will he miss the most about being a police officer?

“Just being around the people every day, I don’t think you ever stop being a cop...” he said. “You just gotta learn to stand down now and become a witness if you happen to see something. It’s a different journey now.”

A reception for Merry will be Dec. 14 at the Green Frog Café in Palouse.