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Incident
Patrolman Monte Mettler was shot and killed in his front yard in Chamberlin by a suspect he had arrested on an earlier date. At 2:00 p.m., he was backing away from his home when the suspect, who had been parked in a nearby alley, pulled alongside his car and shot him twice through the window. The suspect then fled to Oacoma, where he committed suicide. Patrolman Mettler was a United States Army veteran and had served with the South Dakota Highway Patrol for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother, and two sisters.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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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. Verlyn 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.
Trooper Mettler gave the South Dakota Highway Patrol 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of South Dakota, 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
Verlyn LaMonte Mettler served in the U.S. Army (1959â1962) before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
South Dakota Highway Patrol has lost 5 officers; 2 of them killed feloniously.
Verlyn is one of 37 officers killed feloniously in SD, 57.8% of the 64 remembered there.
Verlyn is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Verlyn is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1976, 2 officers in SD were killed feloniously, the 2nd heaviest of 28 years on record. The heaviest was 2011, with 3.
In 1976, 137 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 30th heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1976, 162 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 26th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Verlyn was 34. Of the 31 killed feloniously in SD whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 49.5; the middle age was 37. Verlyn had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
Verlyn was 34. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Verlyn had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Verlyn was 34. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Verlyn had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 10.8% of these deaths in SD; September holds the most, 21.6%. Tuesdays: 32.4%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Tuesdays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Tuesdays: 13.3%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 40% of all 5 deaths at South Dakota Highway Patrol, the 2nd most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 50% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.8% of all 64 deaths in SD, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 29.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 22.8% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun, in 20.4% of these deaths.
His people
South Dakota Highway Patrol has 5 officers remembered here, Verlyn among them.
Military Service
Verlyn LaMonte Mettler served in the U.S. Army (1959–1962) before joining law enforcement.
Visit Verlyn LaMonte 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 2-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
4 officers from South Dakota Highway Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
