Trooper Ralph George Zerda

Trooper Ralph George Zerda | Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas
Trooper Ralph George Zerda

Texas Department of Public Safety - Texas Highway Patrol, Texas

End of Watch Sunday, May 21, 1989

Add to My Heroes

Ralph George Zerda

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.

Bio

  • Age 29
  • Tour 5 years
  • Badge Not available

Incident Details

  • Cause Vehicular assault
  • Weapon Automobile; Alcohol involved
  • Offender Sentenced to 10 years

Impaired Driver, traffic stop

LODD Mapping FAQs

Related LODD Deaths

Most Recent Reflection

View all 24 Reflections

I was on duty when Bill & Ralph were killed

Gayle A Barnes
DPS

July 19, 2023

Want even more control of your Reflection? Create a free ODMP account now for these benefits:

  • Quick access to your heroes
  • Reflections published quicker
  • Save a Reflection signature
  • View, edit or delete any Reflection you've left in the past

Create an account for more options, or use this form to leave a Reflection now.

Recent LODD Deaths