WASHINGTON, D.C. – A memorial service is set to be held in the nation’s capital city to honor law enforcement professionals who sadly died in the line of duty. The ceremony is part of the observance of National Police Week, which runs from May 15th to May 21st. Of those to be honored, nine are Iowans.
Three of the nine officers who died in the line of duty were murdered. One was killed in a vehicle crash. And the majority, five in all, died from COVID-19.
The Iowans who are to be honored include:
Correctional Officer Robert J. Vidimos II, of Ames, who died November 11th, 2020. Vidimos was assigned to the Iowa Correctional Institution for women in Mitchellville. He died from complications of COVID-19, which he contracted in the line of duty.
Correctional Officer Michael D. Teachout, of Shenandoah, who passed away November 28th, 2020. Teachout died from complications of COVID-19, which he contracted in the line of duty.
Conservation Officer Steven Reighard, who died January 8th, 2021. Reighard was assigned to the Iowa DNR in Dickinson County. He died from complications of COVID-19, which he contracted in the line of duty.
Correctional Officer Robert L. McFarland, of El, Iowa, who died March 23rd, 2021. McFarland was assigned to Anamosa State Penitentiary, and was murdered during an attack by inmates.
Nurse Lorena Y. Schulte, from Cedar Rapids, who died March 23rd, 2021. Schulte was assigned to Anamosa State Penitentiary, and was murdered during an attack by inmates.
Officer James K. Smith of Independence, who died April 9th, 2021. Smith was an Iowa State Patrol officer, and was killed in the line of duty during a standoff in Grundy Center.
Parole Officer Broderick R. Daye, of Des Moines, who died August 28th, 2021. Daye served the 5th Judicial District of Des Moines, and died from complications of COVID-19, contracted in the line of duty.
Officer Theodore L. Benda, of rural Decorah, who died October 20th, 2021. Benda was an Iowa State Patrol officer who was killed in the line of duty in an accident, when he swerved his vehicle to avoid a deer on the road, on his way to a call.
Correctional Officer Richard W. Newkirk of North Liberty, who died November 3rd, 2021. Newkirk was assigned to the Iowa Medical and Classification Center in Oakdale, and died after contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
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