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Bruce Edgar Mettler
Incident
Deputy Sheriff Bruce Mettler, Sergeant Robert Rigoni of the Port Clinton Police Department, and Dispatcher Michael Sweeney of the Put-in-Bay Police Department were killed when the plane they were riding in crashed into Lake Erie. The officers were traveling to assist a police chief on a neighboring island who was suffering a heart attack. All four occupants of the plane were killed in the accident. Deputy Mettler was a U.S. Army veteran and served with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office for two years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, two sons, a stepson, mother, sister, and brother.
In Our Keeping
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Army. One record, 2 gates. Bruce is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Deputy Sheriff Mettler gave the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office 2 years.
Thank you for your service to the Port Clinton community, and for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Bruce Edgar Mettler served in the U.S. Army (1964â1965) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Accident
Bruce is the only officer of Ottawa County Sheriff's Office remembered here.
Bruce is one of 319 officers lost to accidents in OH, 32.1% of the 993 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Bruce is one of 10,096 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1983, 5 officers in OH were lost to accidents, the 11th heaviest of 125 years on record. The heaviest was 1925, with 8.
In 1983, 74 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 36th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1983, 92 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 33rd heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Bruce was 37. Of the 310 lost to accidents in OH whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 37. Bruce had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 37. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36. Bruce had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Bruce was 37. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. Bruce had served 2 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
December holds 8.8% of these deaths in OH; July holds the most, 12.2%. Fridays: 16.9%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.4%. Fridays: 15.1%.
December holds 8.9% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Ottawa County Sheriff's Office.
Accident deaths account for 32.1% of all 993 deaths in OH, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
Where
Military Service
Bruce Edgar Mettler served in the U.S. Army (1964–1965) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Bruce Edgar Mettler’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 5-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
0 officers from Ottawa County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.