Wisconsin State Patrol Mourns the Loss of Longtime Bureau Director and His Wife as Community Grieves Unthinkable Violence
Middleton, WI — In a heartbreaking and deeply unsettling tragedy, David Pabst, Bureau Director for the Wisconsin State Patrol, and his wife Teresa “Teri” Pabst were found dead in their Middleton home on Monday afternoon in what officials have confirmed to be a double homicide.
The Dane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Stonebrook Circle around 2:21 p.m., after a concerned relative made the devastating discovery. Deputies arrived swiftly and launched an investigation that has since shaken both the local community and the state at large.
Authorities quickly identified the couple’s 25-year-old son, James Pabst, as a person of interest in the case. Law enforcement believes the fatal shootings occurred sometime after 9:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 7.
James fled the scene before deputies arrived. He was later located on U.S. Highway 14 near Viroqua, where, after a standoff, he was found dead inside his vehicle from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The firearm used in the tragedy was confirmed to have been legally purchased. The investigation remains ongoing, though authorities have assured the public that there is no continued threat.
The loss of David and Teri Pabst has prompted a wave of grief and disbelief across the state, especially within the law enforcement community. David Pabst had served with the Wisconsin State Patrol for decades, earning widespread respect for his leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment to public safety. His role as Bureau Director was marked by efforts to improve traffic safety and officer training across Wisconsin.
Teri Pabst was remembered by friends and neighbors as warm, compassionate, and deeply devoted to her family. Together, the couple were a respected and loved presence in their Middleton neighborhood and beyond.
In a statement, the Wisconsin State Patrol said:
“We are devastated by the loss of our colleague and friend, Director David Pabst, and his beloved wife, Teri. Their lives were dedicated to service, family, and community. We extend our deepest condolences to all who knew and loved them, and we stand together in mourning.”
Neighbors have described the Pabsts as kind, involved, and caring. The shocking nature of their deaths has left the quiet neighborhood of Stonebrook Circle reeling, with many struggling to reconcile the loss with the senseless violence.
As the investigation continues, the focus has shifted to remembering the lives that were taken. Friends, colleagues, and community members are expected to gather in the coming days to honor David and Teri’s memory.
Details regarding funeral arrangements and public memorials will be shared once finalized.
In a time of profound sorrow, Wisconsin grieves the loss of two pillars of its community. May David and Teri Pabst be remembered not for the tragic way they left this world, but for the love, service, and humanity they gave so freely while they were here
