He was a well-respected and well liked Deputy in the community. On a cold evening in November, he picked up a local farmer on a warrant for threats made to another local family. He and the suspect had been friends for years, but this night would be Deputy Kruegel's last night on the job after a struggle with a handgun that proved fatal.

This episode is sponsored by our friends at Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc.

Check out our website for photos related to this story at www.officerdownmemorialpodcast.com.

If you are interested in supporting our mission and the National COPS organization, click here for more info: www.glow.fm/officerdownmemorialpodcast