Line of Duty Deaths Database

Merrill L. Bone
Name
Merrill L. Bone
Local
L1696, Salt Lake County
Gender
Male
Age
61
District
09
Occupation
Captain
Type of Duty
Admin/Normal Station Duty
Fatal Injury Cause
Contact/Exposure - Contagious Disease: COVID-19
Nature of Fatal Injury
Other/Miscellaneous - Infectious Disease
Date of Death
10/31/2021
Year Placed On Wall
2023
Multiple Line of Duty Incident
No information available
Name
City/State
Date
Summary
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Website Comments
It is with deepest regret and sorrow to report the line-of-duty death of Captain Merrill L. Bone, IAFF 9th District Local 1696, Salt Lake County, Utah. Brother Bone, 61, passed away on October 31, 2021 from complications of Covid-19.

Viewing will be held on Friday, November 5, 2021 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Larkin Mortuary-Riverton, 3688 West 12600 South, Riverton, Utah 84065; phone: (801) 254-4850. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, November 6, 2021 at 11:00 am at Olympus High School, 4055 South 2300 East, Holladay, Utah 84124.

Expressions of sympathy or condolences for the family or the Local can be sent to IAFF Local 1696, PO Box 97, West Jordan, UT 84084-0097
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Biographical Comments
Captain Bone lived a life of unequivocal service. As a 39-year veteran firefighter, he spent most of his time in the service of others. Throughout his fire career Merrill worked and retired from different departments within the state of Utah. He worked from his EMT to his Paramedic license and then moved onto the rank of Captain, all while continuing to obtain multiple undergraduate degrees and working on a graduate. Captain Bone was known for his expertise in any area of fire education and training and for the feeling of deep brotherhood he held so close to him. This led him to being a member of USAR, wildland firefighting, being a member of Task force 1 and many notable deployments, including the rescue and recovery operations of the 9-11 New York attack. Known for his “Merrill-isms” and quick wit, Merrill was loved by every soul he reached.

There was never a challenge Captain Bone wouldn’t face head on, including his recent fight with cancer. He struggled, defeated cancer, and once again returned to his fire duties. He never took the lives of others for granted, he was vaccinated against Covid-19, but his fight had left his immune system compromised. After contracting the illness, he fought a new battle to recover, and now is at peace.
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