Iowa Concerns of Police Survivors

Patrolman John Van Haaften was shot and killed while assigned to the Knoxville, Iowa, Police Department as an undercover narcotics officer.

He had just made an undercover purchase at a residence and entered the home to arrest the subject at 4:00 p.m. As he moved into one of the rooms, another subject shot him in the chest with a .410 gauge shotgun. He was able to exit the home and call for backup before collapsing.

The suspect, age 17, pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison. The suspect who purchased the drugs pleaded guilty and was sentenced to prison.

Patrolman Van Haaften had served with the Pella Police Department for two years and previously served two years as a volunteer in the police reserve. He was survived by his expectant wife and two daughters.

Police Officer Wayne Rice and Police Officer Michael Hoing were shot and killed after responding to a noise complaint for the second time in one night at 1027 Franklin Street in Waterloo.

As Officer Hoing called for backup, the subject struck Officer Rice on the head and gained control of his service weapon. The man then shot Officer Rice once. Officer Hoing was able to return fire but was struck four times. Officer Rice succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and Officer Hoing succumbed to injuries the following day at a local hospital.

Two days after the murders, Deputy William Mullikin of the Black Hack County Sheriff's Department was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a reported sighting of the subject. The subject, a parolee, was apprehended and sentenced to two life terms in prison with no chance for parole.

The man died on March 18th, 2014, while still incarcerated.

Officer Rice had served with the Waterloo Police Department for two years and previously served with the Manchester Police Department. He was survived by his wife, son, daughter, mother, three brothers, and two sisters.

Police Officer Michael Hoing and Police Officer Wayne Rice were shot and killed after responding to a noise complaint for the second time in one night at 1027 Franklin Street in Waterloo.

As Officer Hoing called for backup, the subject struck Officer Rice on the head and gained control of his service weapon. The man then shot Officer Rice once. Officer Hoing was able to return fire but was struck four times. Officer Rice succumbed to his injuries at the scene, and Officer Hoing succumbed to injuries the following day at a local hospital.

Two days after the murders, Deputy William Mullikin of the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Department was killed in an automobile accident while responding to a reported sighting of the subject. The subject, a parolee, was apprehended and sentenced to two life terms in prison with no chance for parole.

The man died on March 18th, 2014, while still incarcerated.

Officer Hoing had been with the Waterloo Police Department for seven years. He was survived by his wife and two sons.

Deputy Sheriff William Mullikin was killed in an automobile crash while responding to a reported sighting of the subject wanted for the murders of Police Officer Michael Hoing and Police Officer Wayne Rice, both of the Waterloo Police Department.

Both officers had been shot and killed two days earlier when they responded to a noise complaint at the man's home, and the suspect had eluded authorities.

While rushing eastbound on West Eagle Road to the scene of the sighting, Deputy Mullikin was on the passenger side of the patrol car when a vehicle turned left in front of them onto Ansborough Road. Because Deputy Mulliken shouted: "Watch out!" He most likely saved the lives of the deputy driving and the deputy in the back seat. The sheriff's patrol vehicle had the flashing red lights on its roof, alternately flashing headlights, and a 'warble' siren on.

The subject was eventually captured and sentenced to two life terms. He died in prison on March 18th, 2014.

Deputy Mullikin had served with the Black Hawk County Sheriff's Office for six years and the U.S. Federal Marshal's Office for two years. He is survived by his wife, parents, and sister.

Chief Ash was struck and killed by a vehicle while setting up a roadblock at 0515 hours. A burglary suspect, who had been chased into Iowa by Minnesota authorities, attempted to run the roadblock and crashed into Chief Ash's patrol car, killing him instantly.

The 20-year-old suspect was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years in Anamosa Prison January 25, 1982.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Duane Otto was killed while responding to a domestic violence and shooting call involving an emotionally disturbed person.

He and other officers had responded to to the man's home, in Minden, after receiving reports the man had shot at his wife during an argument. He parked his patrol car and went to the porch of the home. His patrol car then rolled into the porch, knocking it down. The porch roof fell onto Chief Deputy Otto causing fatal injuries.

Chief Deputy Otto had served with the Pottawattamie County Sheriff's Office for six years and had previously served with the Council Bluffs Police Department for eight years. He served as the president of the Iowa Sheriffs and Deputies Association. He was survived by his wife and two daughters.

Officer Bret Sunner was shot and killed while responding to a domestic disturbance.

His 45-year-old killer was sentenced to life imprisonment. He died in prison on January 4, 2015.

Officer Sunner had served with the Cedar Rapids Police Department for 3 years. He was survived by his parents and two sisters.

Trooper Charles Whitney was struck by a vehicle and killed while making a traffic stop on I-380 near Evansdale.

He was handing the driver a ticket through the driver's side window when another vehicle whose driver had fallen asleep struck him.

Trooper Whitney had served with the Iowa State Patrol for 24 years and was planning on retiring the following month. He was survived by his wife.

Police Officer Daniel McPherren was shot and killed when he responded with other officers to a robbery at the Hy-Vee grocery store in Newton.

He was posted at the rear of the store, waiting for the robber to exit. A second robber was posted near the rear of the store as a lookout, and a gunfight ensued between the officers and the suspects. The fatal shot struck between the panels of Officer McPherren's vest.

Both of the suspects were wounded and fled. Both had escaped from a minimum security prison in Newton. They were later apprehended and convicted of first-degree murder. Both received life sentences without parole for the murder of Officer McPherren. The subject who shot and killed Officer McPherren died in prison on March 21, 2017. The other subject remains in prison.

Officer McPherren had served with the Newton Police Department for eight years. He was survived by his wife and three children.

Trooper Pilot Lance Dietsch and Trooper Stanley Gerling were killed in an airplane crash while searching for an elderly man who had wandered off.

They were about to call off the search when the troopers located him in a soybean field. They began to circle the area when the plane made a sudden turn and crashed vertically into the ground.

Trooper Pilot Dietsch had served with the Iowa State Patrol for six years.

Trooper Stanley Gerling and Trooper Pilot Lance Dietsch were killed in an airplane crash while searching for an elderly man who had wandered away from a nursing home near U.S. Highway 6 west of Atlantic, Iowa.

They were about to call off the search when the troopers located him in a soybean field. They began to circle the area when the plane made a sudden turn and crashed vertically into the ground.

Trooper Gerling had served with the Iowa State Patrol for one year. He was survived by his wife and two children

Chief of Police Cole Shatswell suffered a fatal heart attack while investigating a shoplifting in progress.

When he arrived at the scene the suspect fled and Chief Shatswell chased him across the street, where he collapsed. A doctor who witnessed the incident began CPR but was unable to revive him.

Chief Shatswell was survived by his wife and three sons.