Police Officer Patrick Lee Metzler
Dallas Police Department
Texas
End of Watch: Wednesday, October 23, 2002

Biographical Info
Age: 31
Tour of Duty: 8 years
Badge Number: 7042

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 15 years

Officer Patrick Metzler was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind by a drunk driver while providing traffic control at a construction site at North Central Expressway and LBJ Freeway at 0100 hours.

The vehicle that struck him had first passed a construction truck with an arrow indicator, and then the vehicle went back into the right hand lane where it rammed into the back of his patrol car, killing Officer Metzler instantly. The patrol car burst into flames as a result of the collision. Officer Metzler was working an overtime detail at the time.

The drunk driver was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Officer Metzler had been employed with the Dallas Police Department for eight years, and was assigned to the gang unit. He is survived by his parents, sister, and a brother who is a police officer in Colorado.