Sergeant William John Kuhnle Jr.
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol
Texas
End of Watch: Sunday, May 21, 1989

Biographical Info
Age: 36
Tour of Duty: 11 years
Badge Number: Not available

Incident Details
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: Sunday, May 21, 1989
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years

Sergeant Kuhnle and Trooper Ralph Zerda were killed when a drunk truck driver crashed his tractor trailer into their parked patrol car. The officers were parked on the shoulder after stopping another drunk driver.

The drunk driver was sentenced to two concurrent 10 year sentences in prison, but was released after serving only 4 years.

Sergeant Kuhnle had served with the agency for 11 years. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Related Line of Duty Deaths

Trooper Ralph George Zerda Texas Department of Public Safety - Tex..., TX EOW: Sunday, May 21, 1989 Cause of Death: Vehicular assault