March 28, 2024

Newton police officer honored

Lieutenant Patrick Richardson of the Newton Police Department posthumously received the Iowa Law Enforcement Purple Heart Award Wednesday at the inaugural Iowa Law Enforcement Purple Heart Award ceremony at the 82nd Annual Iowa State Police Association Conference in Ames.

Richardson’s family accepted the award from ISPA President Eric Snyder and ISPA past President, Newton Police Lieutenant Rob Burdess.

“It’s an award that no officer wants to be awarded, but it just goes to show the dedication Lt. Pat Richardson gave to the department and to the city as well as all of the other police officers across the state. They are willing to put their lives on the line and protect the citizens,” Newton Police Chief Jeff Hoebelheinrich said. “It is a danger we understand is out there, but we accept that because it is needed to help the community. It is a sad time, but it is a great honor that citizens of our community as well as the state of Iowa can remember Lt. Pat Richardson as a hero.”

The Iowa Law Enforcement Purple Heart Award was created in 2013 as a way to recognize the sacrifices of Iowa Police Officers who died or were critically injured in the line of duty.

Richardson died of a heart attack in 2013 while on a training run for an upcoming departmental physical fitness test. He was a 23-year veteran of the police department.

Contact Staff Writer Jamee A. Pierson at (641) 792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com.