UPDATE at 11:00am on 7/10/25: The Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin State Patrol commented on the loss of bureau director David Pabst and his wife Teri.
David was a dedicated member of the Wisconsin State Patrol, devoting more than 38 years to public service and transportation safety. He spent 25 years as a law enforcement officer, rising through the ranks from trooper and inspector in the State Patrol Northwest Region to sergeant, lieutenant and captain at State Patrol headquarters in Madison. In 2013, he was appointed director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services, where he used his knowledge and dedication to public safety to lead State Patrol’s safety programs and public outreach efforts.
David always served with integrity and compassion, driven by a deep commitment to protect others. He always had a smile and a kind word to share as he dedicated a nearly 40-year career to keeping Wisconsinites safe. His contributions spanned the agency and communities across the state. David and Teri will be greatly missed.
MIDDLETON, Wis. – The bureau director of the Wisconsin State Patrol and his wife are now confirmed to be the victims of a deadly shooting at their home in Middleton.
Tuesday, July 8th, at 2:21 pm, Dane County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call at 8580 Stonebrook Circle after a family member called 911 after going to check on David and Teresa Pabst, who had failed to arrive at their expected destinations that morning. Upon entering the home, the family member found both David and Teri dead.
Deputies had information that their son, 25-year-old James Pabst, had left the home just before they arrived, driving a white Honda Accord and believed to be armed. Around 4:19, Pabst was located by state patrol deputies on U.S. Higway 14 southeast of Viroqua in Vernon County.
As deputies and State Troopers attempted to speak with him, he closed his window, and refused to exit the car. After approximately one hour without a response to their verbal commands, law enforcement tactically approached the car and determined James had died by suicide.
Investigators believe Pabst fatally shot his parents sometime after 9:30 pm on Monday, July 7th in their home. The handgun used was lawfully purchased by Pabst, according to a release from the Dane County Executive’s office.
“On behalf of everyone at the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, our sincerest condolences go out to the Pabst family, their friends, and neighbors,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. “While this is no longer a criminal investigation, we will do all we can to provide the surviving family members the answers and closure they deserve.”
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