Peter J. Meyer, a Vietnam veteran and recipient of the Bronze Star, was laid to rest with military honors at the United States Military Academy at West Point Tuesday.
Meyer, 72, was killed when he was hit in traffic Jan. 4 in Savannah. It has been reported as a hit-and-run.
Meyer friends announced Tuesday that they are offering a $90,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person responsible for his death. That money is being held in escrow and will be available on top of a $10,000 reward provided by Crime Stoppers. A total of $100,000 will go to the person who provides police with the information necessary to make an arrest.
“His death was so random and senseless,” said Pat Walsh, a friend of 40 years. “Peter’s friends and family are hopeful that this sizeable, new reward will help police track down the person responsible for his death.”
“During his 31-year career at Merrill Lynch, Peter was a friend and mentor to scores of people,” said Walsh.
Meyer was driving from his home in Quechee, Vt., with his dog, Chili, to his home in Orchid Island, Fla., when he stopped for the night in Savannah. He was crossing Abercorn Street after dinner when he was struck and killed.
Meyer graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1964. He served in the 3rd Armored Cavalry in Kaiserslautern, Germany, from 1964-66. He was an Airborne Ranger and instructor in the Ranger School at Fort Benning from 1966-67. He was then promoted to captain and served in Vietnam from 1967-68 as a company commander. He left the military in 1969.
“Our dad taught us to be strong, to be brave and to face things head on,” daughter Deb Meyer Cohen said in her eulogy. “As kids, when we would fall down, he would say, ‘Recover, Ranger.’ And so we will soldier on and face the future with the courage and strength that he taught us.”
Officers from the Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police Department are searching for the driver who struck Meyer. Investigators say they are looking for a 1999 or 2000 Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe or Suburban with damage to its front right. Anyone who may have seen the truck near the Twelve Oaks Shopping Center should contact police immediately.