HONOR BOUND: Law enforcement agencies remember local officers who died on active duty

Officers, deputies, jail staff and dispatch personnel from all across the county stood poised outside the courthouse in Newton with their arms crossed behind their backs, their feet slightly apart, eyes forward. In front of them were wreaths bearing the photos of local officers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

National Police Week is a time to recognize those officers, ensuring their service and their memory are not forgotten. Local law enforcement held a ceremony May 13 to honor the five officers in Jasper County who have died while on active duty:

Lieutenant Patrick Richardson, Officer Bobby Barrickman and Officer Dan McPherren of the Newton Police Department; Officer Donald Rusty Hewitt of the Prairie City Police Department; and Reserve Captain Howard Holdefer of the Jasper County Sheriff’s Office.

The death of a fellow officer — even those who serve outside the county — has a resounding effect on law enforcement agencies. It hits close to home, Jasper County Sheriff John Halferty said. During the ceremony, he thought of Iowa State Patrol Sergeant Jim Smith killed last month in Grundy Center.

“I think everybody takes pause,” Halferty said. “We stop and think, ‘That’s someone that does the same job we do. That could have happened to us.’”

Which is why it helps to know the community supports them. Several residents attended the National Police Week ceremony to pay their respects to those who died and also to those that still uphold the profession and strive for a safer community. Halferty is not at all surprised by the turnout.

“I think we have really good support in the community,” he said. “If they think we need to do something different or change something, they’re going to tell us. They also trust us. We’re transparent … It has been difficult times. But I think (the turnout) was a huge encouragement for all of us to see.”

For Halferty, a career in law enforcement runs in the family. His grandfather was a police officer and so was his uncle, the latter of which provided Halferty a lot of encouragement. Looking back at his long career, the sheriff feels like he does what he does not only for the citizens but for his family as well.

“We just take that whole week and not only honor those who died in the line of duty but recognize the work of all those currently in the profession,” he said.

Contact Christopher Braunschweig at 641-792-3121 ext. 6560 or cbraunschweig@newtondailynews.com