South Dakota Highway Patrol, South Dakota
End of Watch Tuesday, March 9, 1976
Add to My HeroesVerlyn LaMonte "Monte" Mettler
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. He was survived by his wife, two daughters, his mother, and two sisters.
Bio
- Age 34
- Tour 13 years
- Badge Not available
- Military Veteran
Incident Details
- Cause Gunfire
- Weapon Gun; Unknown type
- Offender Committed suicide
Most Recent Reflection
View all 14 ReflectionsI am Jack Voorhees, 1st cousin of both Monte Mettler and Lara Miller's mom, Connie Bowen. I would like to add my thanks to what Lara said, he was my hero. Thankyou to the Officer Down Memorial Page, and those who remember.
Jack Voorhees
Cousin
December 1st, 2024
December 1, 2024
Recent LODD Deaths

Deputy Sergeant Martin Shields, Jr.
Hinds County Sheriff's Office, MS
EOW: February 23, 2025

Police Officer Christopher M. L. Reese
Virginia Beach Police Department, VA
EOW: February 22, 2025

Police Officer Cameron Robert Girvin
Virginia Beach Police Department, VA
EOW: February 22, 2025

Patrolman Andrew William Duarte
West York Borough Police Department, PA
EOW: February 22, 2025

Trooper Kyle McAcy
Nebraska State Patrol, NE
EOW: February 17, 2025

Police Officer Jeremy R. Labonte
Roswell Police Department, GA
EOW: February 7, 2025

Officer Jason Roscow
North Las Vegas Police Department, NV
EOW: February 4, 2025

Chief Deputy Burl Wesley Everman
Bath County Sheriff's Office, KY
EOW: November 9, 2024

Police Officer Philip J. Schifini
Nassau County Police Department, NY
EOW: November 27, 2024