Family, Friends & Fellow Officers Remember...

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Paul John Metzger of the Kettering Police Department, Ohio and the additional 70 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 3, 2023

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Paul John Metzger of the Kettering Police Department, Ohio and the additional 70 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 3, 2023

Patrolman Metzger,
On today, the 50th anniversary of your death I would just like to say thank you for your service and sacrifice-not just for your Community but for our Country as well when you served with the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. And to your Family and loved ones, I wish to extend my deepest sympathy.

R.I.P.
USBP

Anonymous
United States Border Patrol

April 3, 2022

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorneys General Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Paul John Metzger of the Kettering Police Department, Ohio and the additional 69 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 3, 2022

In Honor And Respect, Patrolman Paul Metzger, Sir, Thank You For Your Dedicated Service With Law Enforcement And U.S. Army, Vietnam War... You Survived 'Nam & came home, but tragically lost your life so young... You Are Remembered Today... May You Rest In Eternal Peace...

Gail Mercado

April 3, 2021

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Ohio Attorney Generals Bureau of Criminal Identification & Investigation, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Paul John Metzger of the Kettering Police Department, Ohio and the additional 68 American Peace Officers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice on this date in history.

Superintendent Joe Morbitzer
Ohio Attorney General, Bureau of Criminal Investigation

April 3, 2021

Rest in peace Patrolman Metzger.

Rabbi Lewis S. Davis

May 17, 2020

Rest easy

Mark Mottola

April 3, 2020

Does anyone know where on W. Dorothy this incident happened? I happen to live on that street and would like to show my children so that we can pay respects when we go past.

Detective Thomas J Cope
Dayton Police (active)

January 5, 2020

It would be interesting to know if Officer Metzger may have been the son of Sergeant Metzger of Dayton PD in the 1950s; if so, Sergeant Metzger was my dad's (Officer Gilbert L. "Bud" Austing) back then. I knew his son who, although older than me, treated me well when we visited the family. We also went camping with them at East Harbor State Park, Port Clinton, OH.

Michael D Austing
Former US Army MP SSG & E. Baton Route SO, Baton Rouge, LA

June 1, 2018

NEVER FORGET! On behalf of the Westerville, Ohio Division of Police, we honor the dedicated service and ultimate sacrifice of Patrolman Paul John Metzger of the Kettering Police Department, 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

April 3, 2018

Rest in peace.

Sgt. Jim Russo

April 4, 2017

Your heroism and service is honored today, the 40th anniversary year 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 who was murdered in the the line of duty on April 24, 2005 while serving as a Pittsburg, CA police officer.

Time never diminishes respect. Your memory will always be honored and revered.

Rest In Peace.

Phyllis Loya
Mom of fallen California Officer Larry Lasater, Pittsburg PD, eow 4/24/05

April 3, 2012

Ofc. Metzger is one of the reasons I became a cop many years ago. He bandaged up a friend when we crashed riding our bikes as kids. He treated both of us very kindly, and spent time talking with us afterwards while running stationary radar on Big Hill Road.

Thanks, and God Bless You!

Detective Ronald Hahn
Aurora, Colorado Police Department

July 27, 2010

YOU ARE REMEMBERED TODAY AND THANK YOU SIR FOR YOUR SERVICE

Pat Van Den Berghe
MANCHESTER, NH

April 9, 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 3, 2008

I served on the Beavercreek Township Police Department from 1966 to 1978 and I remember well the unfortunate incident which caused your death. You are surely in heaven now.

December 4, 2006