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Incident
Officer Van Meter was killed in an automobile accident while en route to the city-county airport. His vehicle left the roadway during a heavy rain storm.
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Police Officer Van Meter served with the Minneapolis Police Department.
Thank you for your service to the Minneapolis community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Police Officer Van Meter.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
David is the only officer of Minneapolis Police Department remembered here.
David is one of 66 officers lost to accidents in KS, 19.7% of the 335 remembered there.
David is one of 8,276 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,552 remembered there.
David 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 1977, 1 officer in KS was lost to accidents, the 14th heaviest of 50 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 3.
In 1977, 64 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 66th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1977, 88 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 41st heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
David was 27. Of the 59 lost to accidents in KS whose age is recorded, half were between 31.5 and 49; the middle age was 37.
David was 27. 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.
David was 27. Of the 9,452 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
August holds 7.6% of these deaths in KS; November holds the most, 13.6%. Thursdays: 15.2%.
August holds 9.4% of these deaths in the United States, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14%.
August holds 9.3% of these deaths worldwide, more than any other month. Thursdays: 14.2%.
How
Accident deaths account for 100% of all 1 deaths at Minneapolis Police Department.
Accident deaths account for 19.7% of all 335 deaths in KS, 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 the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 28-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
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