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Incident
Trooper John Meistrell succumbed to injuries he received in a vehicle crash on Highway 275 on March 31, 1953. Trooper Meistrell was traveling on Highway 275 when he lost control on the rain-slicked road and struck a tree about a mile from the Highway 275 and Highway 77 junction. He was transported to Dodge County Hospital with a broken neck. He succumbed to his injuries ten days later. Tropper Meistrell had served with the Nebraska State Patrol for 13 years.
Survivors
He was survived by his wife, two children, three brothers, and one sister.
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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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Trooper Meistrell gave the Nebraska State Patrol 13 years.
Thank you for your service to the people of Nebraska. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Trooper Meistrell.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Nebraska State Patrol has lost 15 officers; 7 of them lost to accidents.
John is one of 36 officers lost to accidents in NE, 23.8% of the 151 remembered there.
John is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
John is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1953, 1 officer at Nebraska State Patrol was lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
In 1953, 1 officer in NE was lost to accidents, the 5th heaviest of 32 years on record. The heaviest was 1917, with 2.
In 1953, 54 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1953, 62 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 86th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
John was 40. Of the 7 lost to accidents at Nebraska State Patrol whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 44.5; the middle age was 40. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 10.5 years.
John was 40. Of the 33 lost to accidents in NE whose age is recorded, half were between 32 and 53; the middle age was 40. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 5 years.
John was 40. 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. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
John was 40. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36. John had served 13 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
April holds 14.3% of these deaths at Nebraska State Patrol; June holds the most, 28.6%. Fridays: 28.6%.
April holds 5.6% of these deaths in NE; January holds the most, 13.9%. Fridays: 22.2%.
April holds 7% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Fridays: 15.1%.
April holds 7% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Fridays: 15%.
How
Accident deaths account for 46.7% of all 15 deaths at Nebraska State Patrol, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.8% of all 151 deaths in NE, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Nebraska State Patrol has 15 officers remembered here, John among them.
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Loyal M. Zink
Jun 13, 1945
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John T. Meistrell
Apr 10, 1953
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Vernon C. Rolfs
May 30, 1953
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Marvin L. Hansen
Apr 8, 1954
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Duane F. Nichols
Jul 24, 1958
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Raymond M. Koerber
Sep 18, 1961
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George William Amos, Jr.
Apr 20, 1973
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Michael D. Farber
Aug 24, 1980
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Robert J. Chab
Jan 6, 1984
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Donald Matejka
Dec 27, 1989
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Mark Paul Wagner
Mar 4, 1999
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Mark Zach
Sep 27, 2002
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Jerry Chab
Aug 6, 2013
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Jerry Louis Smith, Jr.
Jun 20, 2019
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Kyle McAcy
Feb 17, 2025
Where
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 46-W
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
14 officers from Nebraska State Patrol are honored on badge.nw.
