JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says a man has been arrested and faces charges including attempted murder of a police officer following an assault Thursday outside the Walmart Supercenter on Philips Highway.
Police told News4JAX that Joseph Merrill, 40, was arrested after he assaulted an officer who was called to the store about a reported shoplifting. Police said Merrill knocked the officer down and was beating her when a detective arrived and subdued Merrill.
The officer, investigators said, was hospitalized for treatment of serious injuries. The Sheriff’s Office said due to Marsy’s Law, police are unable to identify the officer.
Sheriff T.K. Waters released a statement that reads:
“My thoughts and prayers are with our officer. This is one of those very unfortunate incidents that force us all in law enforcement to realize the job we signed up to do can be a dangerous one. I thank those who came to the officer’s aid, police and civilian. Thanks to them, this violent suspect will now have his day in court to explain his actions.”
In addition to being charged with attempted murder, Merrill is also facing charges of resisting with violence, depriving the officer of a communications device, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon and shoplifting.
Records show that in 2020, Merrill was arrested and accused of assaulting an officer who approached him in a car that had been reported stolen. According to the arrest report, Merrill punched the officer and she immobilized him with a stun gun.
The Sheriff’s Office said the car was reportedly stolen from a woman in Jacksonville Beach, who hit Merrill while he was riding a bike and she stopped to check on him. The report states that he jumped into the driver’s seat, and while she was trying to get her purse out, he drove off. Investigators said he stopped and she got out. Records show Merrill served 615 days in jail.
News4JAX has requested the arrest and booking report from Thursday’s incident.