Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
End of Watch Sunday, May 21, 1989
Add to My HeroesRalph George Zerda
Trooper Zerda and Sergeant William Kuhnle 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.
Trooper Zerda had served with the agency for five years.
Bio
- Age Not available
- Tour 5 years
- Badge Not available
Incident Details
- Cause Vehicular assault
- Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
- Offender Sentenced to 10 years
Related LODD Deaths
Sergeant William John Kuhnle, Jr.
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, TX
EOW: May 21, 1989
Most Recent Reflection
View all 20 ReflectionsTrooper Zerda, it will be an honor to run in your memory tomorrow for the 17th Annual Run to Remember. I hope to do you and your loved ones proud.
Diana Ingram
5k Runner
May 25, 2018
Recent LODD Deaths
Agent Alfred Zanyet-Pérez
Puerto Rico Police Department, PR
EOW: February 16, 2019
Detective Brian Simonsen
New York City Police Department, NY
EOW: February 12, 2019
Police Officer Matthew Rittner
Milwaukee Police Department, WI
EOW: February 6, 2019
Trooper Lucas Bartley Dowell
Virginia State Police, VA
EOW: February 4, 2019
Detective William Lee Brewer
Clermont County Sheriff's Office, OH
EOW: February 2, 2019
Border Patrol Agent Donna Doss
United States Department of Homeland Security - Customs and Border Protection - United States Border Patrol, US
EOW: February 2, 2019
Corporal Shane Totty
Baton Rouge Police Department, LA
EOW: February 1, 2019
Deputy Sheriff Joshua Bryan "LJ" Ryer, Jr.
Glascock County Sheriff's Office, GA
EOW: January 29, 2019
Supervisory Deputy US Marshal Norman D. Merkel
United States Department of Justice - United States Marshals Service, US
EOW: January 16, 2019