Roll of Honor
Incident
Police Officer Patrick Metzler was killed when his patrol car was struck from behind by a drunk driver while providing traffic control at a construction site at North Central Expressway and LBJ Freeway at approximately 1:00 am.
The vehicle that struck him had first passed a construction truck with an arrow indicator, and then the vehicle went back into the right-hand lane, where it rammed into the back of his patrol car, killing Officer Metzler instantly. The patrol car burst into flames as a result of the collision. Officer Metzler was working an overtime detail at the time.
The 23-year-old drunk driver had a blood alcohol level of 0.26. He was convicted of vehicular manslaughter and sentenced to 15 years in prison. He will be eligible for parole after he serves half his sentence.
Officer Metzler was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Dallas Police Department for eight years, assigned to the Gang Unit.
Survivors
He is survived by his parents, sister, and brother, who is a police officer in Colorado.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
BO-US-TX-975EA101- Stewardship
- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- April 2, 2026
- Last updated
- July 23, 2026
Honored here by 1 sentinel - 1 tribute.
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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.
Police Officer Metzler gave the Dallas Police Department 8 years.
Thank you for your service to the Dallas community. Thank you 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
Patrick Lee Metzler served in the United States military before joining law enforcement. Full service record available on salute.nw.
Police Officer Patrick Lee Metzler is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty across the full record of this memorial — 54.2% of all 32,508 officers honored here.
In TX, 1,463 of 2,421 officers were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 60.4% of this state's fallen. That is 6.2 percentage points above the national rate of 54.2%.
At Dallas Police Department, 55 of 95 officers on record were killed feloniously — deliberately targeted and murdered in the line of duty — 57.9% of this agency's fallen.
National Cause Distribution
How Felonious compares to all causes of officer death in the memorial record. Patrick Lee Metzler's cause is highlighted.
How Patrick Lee Metzler Compares
Offender Outcome
Sentenced to 15 years
When Felonious Deaths Occur
Monthly distribution of Felonious deaths across the full memorial record. Patrick Lee Metzler is highlighted in Oct.
Weapons Used Against Officers
Most common weapons in felonious officer deaths. Patrick Lee Metzler was killed by automobile; alcohol involved.
Incident Location
Others Who Wore This Badge
94 officers from Dallas Police Department are honored on badge.nw. Showing the 16 most recent.
