LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Lima Exchange Club presented its annual Jack Somerville Award to Lima Police Patrolman Bryce Metz for his bravery in the line of duty.
Metz was recognized for his actions on Oct. 31, 2025, when he was shot while assisting another officer during a routine traffic stop. Despite suffering serious injuries, officials say Metz returned fire and ensured all officers on scene were safe and accounted for.
Patrolman Corey Wilson of the Shawnee Township Police Department and Allen County Sheriff’s Deputy Alan Ogle were also nominated for the award by their respective agencies. Metz, a graduate of Botkins High School and Bowling Green State University, joined the Lima Police Department in February 2024.
May 6, 2026 press release from the Exchange Club of Lima:
The Lima Exchange Club presented its annual “Jack Somerville Award” to Patrolman Bryce Metz of the Lima Police Department as the 2025 Law Officer of the Year at the FOP Hall on Robb Avenue in Lima on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 following the annual ceremony that honors all fallen law enforcement officers in Allen County.
Metz’s selection came from a list of three officers who were nominated by their respective law enforcement agencies. The other nominees this year were Patrolman Corey Wilson of the Shawnee Township Police Department and Deputy Alan Ogle of the Allen County Sheriff’s Office.
Patrolman Metz is a graduate of both Botkins High School and Bowling Green State University. He joined the Lima Police Department in February, 2024 and is assigned to Second Shift Patrol. On October 31, 2025 he was called to assist another officer on a traffic stop. The incident ultimately resulted in a suspect opening fire and Patrolman Metz being shot several times.
Despite his own serious injuries, Metz returned fire and refused immediate medical assistance until he was sure that all other officers, citizens and Lima Fire Department medics on the scene were safe and accounted for. His selflessness in the line of duty is wholly representative of what the LPD stands for.
Bryce is a loving husband to his wife, Bree, enjoys umpiring youth baseball and is a member of St. Jacobs Lutheran Church.
Patrolman Metz is the 58th individual to be chosen as the Exchange Club’s Law Officer of the Year. In 2018 the club renamed the award in honor of Jack Somerville, who organized this project for many years and who is still an active club member after chartering the club in May of 1959.
