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Incident
Sheriff Frank Metzel was shot and killed while intervening in a bank robbery. He had received information that a robbery was going to take place and he, several deputies, and a posse surrounded the bank. They exchanged shots with the suspects as the men attempted to leave the bank. One of the posse members accidentally shot Sheriff Metzel when he mistook him for a robber. Two of the suspects escaped but the third was arrested inside of the bank. Sheriff Metzel was survived by his wife and two daughters. He was buried in Nevada City Cemetery in Virginia City.
Survivors
Sheriff Metzel was survived by his wife and two daughters.
In Our Keeping
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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.
Sheriff Metzel served with the Madison County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Virginia City community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Metzel.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Madison County Sheriff's Office has lost 2 officers; 1 of them lost to accidents.
Frank is one of 34 officers lost to accidents in MT, 23.9% of the 142 remembered there.
Frank is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Frank 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 1930, 1 officer in MT was lost to accidents, the 6th heaviest of 29 years on record. The heaviest was 1895, with 2.
In 1930, 113 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 3rd heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1930, 131 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, more than in any other year.
Who
Frank was 68. Of the 30 lost to accidents in MT whose age is recorded, half were between 36 and 53.8; the middle age was 47.
Frank was 68. 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.
Frank was 68. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
October holds 14.7% of these deaths in MT; December holds the most, 17.6%. Mondays: 17.6%.
October holds 9.1% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
October holds 9.2% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 2 deaths at Madison County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.9% of all 142 deaths in MT, 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
Madison County Sheriff's Office has 2 officers remembered here, Frank among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 11-E
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Others Who Wore This Badge
1 officer from Madison County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
