Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
End of Watch: Sunday, May 21, 1989
Age: 29
Tour of Duty: 5 years
Badge Number: Not available
Cause of Death: Vehicular assault
Date of Incident: May 21, 1989
Weapon Used: Automobile; Alcohol involved
Suspect Info: Sentenced to 10 years
Trooper Ralph Zerda and Sergeant William Kuhnle were killed when a drunk truck driver crashed his tractor-trailer into their parked patrol car at 3:00 am.
The officers were parked on the shoulder of westbound US 9 near Road 1604 after stopping another drunk driver. They were crushed between their patrol vehicle and the vehicle they had stopped.
The drunk driver was sentenced to two concurrent 10-year sentences in prison but was released after serving only four years.
Trooper Zerda had served with the Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol for five years. He was survived by his wife and daughter.