Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! Honoring the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Bruce E. Mettler of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer (Retired)
Ohio Attorneys General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 9, 2024

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Bruce E. Mettler of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 62 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 9, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Bruce E. Mettler of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 60 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

December 9, 2022

As I have for years, a mass is being offered in your memory. You'll never be forgotten by me or my family. Rest in Peace, humble Hero.

Retired Chief Daniel Lackey
Medina Life Support Team

December 9, 2020

Rest in peace Deputy Sheriff Mettler.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

January 1, 2020

It's difficult to believe that it has been 36 years. Your kids are all grown and have made you proud. I still think of you, Valerie and your family as I remember that terrible day. Many of the residents of the little island, whose care you so lovingly undertook, are likely gone now. I am now an old man, with my own struggles with health, who remembers when we were both young, invulnerable and wanted to make change the world by making it just a little better than it was when we arrived into it.

This morning over coffee, I told Donna about the day that I spent with you going from house to house, visiting the small population of permanent residents. I told her how you brought prescriptions, groceries, or other items that the folks needed. You checked on their health, took blood pressures when warranted, or simply a few minutes to talk with them and offer a kind word, when that was all they needed. It was atypical of my normal day at work, but it showed me what a true "servant heart" was.

In the world that you left, celebrities and media now vilify police, claiming that they abuse their authority, and the public. It's a lie, yet popular culture continues to spread that lie and good cops die because people believe something that couldn't be further from the truth. These groups highlight a small number of bad folks in order to weave into society the perception that those few represent the vast majority who do incredible acts of goodness and bravery every day, caring only about helping their fellow man and not caring about whether other people notice or not.

Bruce, you left our little blip in the Universe better because you were here. You exemplified everything that is best about those who choose to be public servants. Not the self-serving politicians who claim the "public service" mantle but the person whose motives are not recognition, enrichment or favor. The man or woman who see a need, then seeks to fill that need, at whatever cost or consequence, mindful only of the example of Christ's example to love their fellow man.

God Bless you and your wonderful family on this day. Hopefully, some day this old, repentant sinner will join you up there and we'll swap tales. In Heaven, though, I think we will have to true tales and not the tall ones that we might have been tempted to tell back on Earth.

Chief of EMS Operations (Ret) Daniel Lac
Medina Life Support Team

December 9, 2019

It's been 35 years since we lost you but you are still remembed for your kindness, willingness to care and your service, including making the ultimate sacrifice to help a brother in time of need. "There is no greater love than for a man to lay down his life for another." I pray for you at mass often an most especially on the anniversary of your passing. Your memory lives on in the hearts of the many people who your life touched.

Retired Chief Daniel Lackey
Medina Life Support Team

December 10, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Bruce E. Mettler of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 54 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 9, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Deputy Sheriff Bruce E. Mettler of the Ottawa County Sheriff's Office, Ohio and the additional 53 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Chief Joe Morbitzer
Westerville, Ohio Division of Police

December 9, 2017

Bruce was also a paramedic and former Army Ranger. In Medina, he was a founding member of the first full time EMS in the county, as was I. His experience earned him a supervisory role and I worked with him. In April 1983, when he was 5, my son was gravely injured when he was run over by a 4 wheel drive pickup in a parking lot. I found out that Bruce, who had by then moved his family to Put-in-Bay, called Akron Children's Hospital every day to check on how he was doing. Later that summer he invited us to Put-in-Bay where he surprised him with a plane ride and a day on a Charter Boat. When I heard about the crash, I went there as quickly as I could because besides wanting to offer whatever comfort I could, all of their trained EMS responders were killed and I found when I got there, I was temporarily taking on that role.

All of this long reflection is that Bruce proved what a great friend he was when we really needed it and when he died, God gave me the chance to return his kindness, even if only a small way, as our department stepped up and many members were flown by Ohio National Guard helicopter to work there on their days off. I am so proud to have called Bruce and his family dear friends and was very proud of how so many people went to help protect the people Bruce always took so good care of.

Daniel Lackey, Chief of Operations a
Medina Life Support Team (Ret)

February 17, 2015

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 28th anniversary of your death. Your memory lives and you continue to inspire. Thank you for your service. My cherished son Larry Lasater was a fellow police officer murdered in the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

I pray for solace for all those who love and miss you for I know both the pain and pride are forever.

Rest In Peace

Phyllis Loya
mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, PPD, eow 4/24/05

December 10, 2011

Deputy Sheriff Mettler,
On today, the 28th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice for the citizens of Ottawa County. And to your family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
USBP

December 9, 2011

Bruce, you are always on my mind! From the time we met as next door neighbors, second grade in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio , until your accident, there is no one as good a friend as you were. Even when you moved to Stow in our teens we stayed best friends. So many memories through the years of all the things we did together, you were so full of adventure, just the perfect person for me. The motorcycles, the cars, the racing , all the good and not so good times. If I could do it all over again, I would change nothing we ever did except your accident that cheated us out of the best of our lives. You were such an honorable and trustworthy friend and I miss you every day of my life.

Darryl Bowling, Copley, Ohio Aug. 31, 2011

Darryl Bowling
Best friends

August 31, 2011

There are some things that change you forever, that stay with you forever, that live always in your heart. Thank you all for your kind words and beautiful reflections. Bruce woould be so very proud of you all.

Deputy Valerie Mettler, wife
Ottawa County Sheriff's Dept.

April 14, 2009

Uncle Bruce,
I thought of you when another officer I knew died in the line of duty. It's sad that I really didn't get a chance to know you better. As a dispatcher, I think we could have had some great conversations. Please take care of my fellow officer that passed away the other day.
By the way, you would be very proud of your children. They grew up to be wonderful people.
Love, Melissa

Melissa Zurawski
Oakwood PD/niece

July 17, 2008

I have the amazing honor of knowing your family... Valerie, your daughter and having such pride in being your beautiful grand-daughter's god-mother. You would be so very proud of all of their accomplishments, as am I. Your son and daughter have done you proud... I only wish that we could have met in this lifetime. We will one day. I look forward to that day and will thank you with every ounce for your service and your gifts you have given me. Until then...

H.H.

May 15, 2008

"The Badge"

He starts his shift each day
To respond to calls unknown.
He drives a marked patrol car.
A police officer he is known.

He's paid by the citizens' taxes
To make it safe on the streets.
But he usually has a second job
'Cause a waitress has his salary beat.

Now he doesn't know a holiday
'Cause he works all year round.
And when Thanksgiving and Christmas finally arrive
At his home he cannot be found.

He's cursed and assaulted often,
The one whos blood runs blue.
He seldom ever gets a thanks,
To some he's just a fool.

His friends are always other cops
'Cause people just don't understand
That underneath his badge and gun,
He's just another man.

He knows there might not be a tomorrow
In this world of drugs and crime.
And he gets so mad at the court system
'Cause the crooks don't get any time.

And each day when he leaves for work,
He prays to God above.
Please bring me home after my shift
So I can see the ones I love.

But tonight he stops a speeding car,
He's alone down this ole' highway.
It's just a little traffic infraction.
He does it everyday.

Well, he walks up to the driver's window,
And his badge is shining bright.
He asked the guy for a driver's license,
When a shot rang through the night.

Yes, the bullet hit its mark,
Striking the officer in the chest.
But the Department's budget didn't buy
Each officer a bullet-proof vest.

So he lay on the ground bleeding.
His blood wasn't blue - His blood was red.
And briefly he thought of his loved ones
'Cause in a moment the officer was dead.

In the news they told the story
Of how this officer had died.
And some who listened cared less,
But those who loved him cried.

Well, they buried him in uniform
With his badge pinned on his chest.
He even had his revolver,
He died doing his best.

Written By:
David L. Bell
Sergeant
Richland County Sheriff's Department
Columbia, South Carolina
Used with Special Permission of the Author
Copyright © 1999 - All Rights Reserved
and may not be duplicated without permission

Investigator David L Bell
Richland County Sheriff's Dept., Columbia, SC

January 8, 2008

You are remembered today and thank you Sir for your service

vandenberghe
manchester, nh

December 5, 2007

22 years has not been long enough for me to begin to stop missing you. Not a day goes by that I don't think about you. You mean everything to me and I will make you proud, everyday.

Your son

Spc. Mettler
82nd Airborne, U.S. Army, Infantry

December 9, 2005

I did not know you, but I do know your daughter and son-in-law. They are both wonderful people, and I know you are very proud as you look down upon them. Thank you for your sacrifice.

LEO Wife

May 19, 2005

I never met you, but I have the honor of knowing your daughter. She is a wonderful person, and I'm sure you are smiling down on her with such pride. Thank you for your service!

October 26, 2004

Our uniform the same, you will never be forgotten. Rest easy, brother.

Deputy M. Moore
Warren County S.O. (OH)