NEWS RELEASE "From the Desk of Sheriff Dryden"

Thursday, February 07, 2008

LIFE IS PRECIOUS

We may never know what circumstances prompted Philip Metzig to point a loaded SKS 7.62 semi automatic rifle at Spooner Police Officer Steven Pank, in the early hours of February 2, 2008. The consequences of Metzig's actions resulted in his tragic death and it is with both sorrow and sympathy that the Spooner Police Department and the Washburn County Sheriff's Office express our condolences to the Metzig family.

Law enforcement officers are trained and dedicated to protect the lives and property of citizens and we take our responsibility seriously. However, we are sometimes confronted with circumstances that dictate a response that could lead to bodily harm or death.
As sheriff, it is my opinion that any law enforcement officer, who is confronted with the same circumstances that faced Officer Pank on that tragic morning, would have reacted in the same manner.

It is unlikely that we will ever know what was on the mind of Mr. Metzig or why he pulled a rifle on a law enforcement officer or if he possibly had other motives that morning. Officer Pank's reaction to the aggression with which he was confronted most surely saved his life and the life of Officer Christner, and possibly others.
It is obvious that we live in a violent society today; we witness it all around us... on television, in newspapers, our homes, and our work places and in many aspects of our daily lives. The City of Spooner and Washburn County are not immune from the rising hostility. We can be thankful, however, that there are people and officers who respect life and the taking of such would only be used as an absolute last resort.

The family of Phillip Metzig will have to rebuild their lives without him. Regrettably there is always collateral damage after a death such as this and the officers involved. The neighbors, relatives and friends of Phil Metzig will all suffer some form of physical, emotional or psychological ramifications.

To my recollection, this is the first time in the history of Washburn County where a law enforcement officer had to take the life of another human being to protect themselves or others. We hope and pray that this is the last time it will ever happen. Unfortunately, our county has joined the rest of the world with its ever increasing violent behavior and almost every call an officer responds to has the potential for violence, and as such, an officer must be prepared to take whatever action they deem necessary to protect themselves and others.

Life is precious, for you and for those in law enforcement. Let's never forget.

WASHBURN COUNTY SHERIFF OFFICE

Terry Dryden
Sheriff