Keokuk sheriff to carry slain deputy’s gun

SIGOURNEY - Keokuk County Sheriff Jeff Shipley has a new duty weapon.

The handgun, a fourth-generation Glock 22, was ordered by Sgt. Eric Stein shortly before Stein was killed in the line of duty in April.

“I will carry that weapon as long as I am here,” said Shipley. “I think it is probably going to be a tradition. When I am gone, I will pass it on to the next guy who takes my place.”

On April 4, Shipley, Stein and another deputy were caught in a shootout on a rural Keokuk County farm. Jeffrey Krier shot and killed Stein. Krier was later shot and killed by members of the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team.

In an emotional interview with KCRG-TV9, Shipley said he and Stein fired a sample of the gun at a range last winter when a regional gun dealer came by to show them “the latest and greatest” on the market. Stein decided to order one - not as a duty weapon, but as his own.

“The sidearm came in after Eric was deceased, and they're trying to run it through his credit card, and (the card) was canceled,” Shipley said. “I went ahead and purchased the handgun.”

The Kansas-based company sent the gun last week, along with a complimentary engraving that reads: “In Memory of 54-3” - Stein's badge number.

“It's a way for me to personally pick up the torch for him, because he's not here,” said Shipley.

Shipley said the department has slowly moved on since the shooting, but they'll never forget what happened.

“All you can do is rebuild, go on. Life goes on, and the phone doesn't quit ringing,” said Shipley. “We've still got to be here for the people of Keokuk County.”

The sheriff said he doesn't blame anyone for Stein's death and that Krier should have been taking better care of himself. Krier had a history of mental illness, and it is believed he was not taking his medications at the time of the shootout.

“I don't blame anybody other than the person who was shooting at us,” Shipley said. “He was a sick individual who had his reasons for doing what he did, and I don't know why and I don't think anyone knows why.”