Denver Memorial Honored Fallen Officer Merle Nading
A memorial now stands at the site where a Denver police officer was killed in the line of duty in 1971.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Awards
Denver has installed a memorial to honor Officer Merle Nading, who died while responding to a disturbance in 1971. The memorial marks the location near Gaylord Street and Colfax Avenue where the officer lost his life.
Why it matters
The site serves as a lasting tribute to a local officer killed while serving the community. It also highlights the historical involvement of Elvis Presley, who provided funding for a police gym project Nading was building at the time of his death.
The memorial is installed at the intersection of Gaylord Street and Colfax Avenue, honoring the officer 55 years after his death on October 3, 1971.
The players
Merle Nading
He was a Denver police officer who was killed while responding to a disturbance at a nightclub.
Elvis Presley
The musician and cultural icon provided financial support to complete a police gym project that Nading had been building for his colleagues.
The details
The memorial plaque bears the inscription In Memory of Denver Police Officer Merle E. Nading, October 3, 1971. Nading was actively working to construct a gym for his fellow officers before he was killed while responding to a nightclub disturbance.
Timeline
Officer Merle Nading died in the line of duty on October 3, 1971.
A memorial service was held on October 3, 2026, to mark the 55th anniversary of his death.
Roadmap
The installation of this memorial follows the 1971 death of Denver Police Officer Merle Nading, cementing his status in local history. It highlights how community efforts continue to honor service members long after their active duty has concluded.
Residents and visitors near Gaylord Street and Colfax Avenue can now visit the memorial site to pay their respects. The tribute provides a physical reminder of the officer's service and the local history associated with the area.
The takeaway
Honoring individuals who died in the line of duty remains an important aspect of community memory in Denver. Maintaining these public tributes helps ensure the sacrifices of local officers are not forgotten by future generations.
Further reading
For more information on local historical tributes, visit the Awards section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CBS News.
