Ceremony honors ‘giant’ of Linn County judicial system

CEDAR RAPIDS — A longtime Linn County chief public defender who died June 3 of a heart attack was recently honored for being an advocate for his clients and helping them reintegrate back into communities after prison.

The RISE — Reintegration Initiative for Safety and Empowerment — program dedicated its computer lab as the Brian K. Sissel Memorial Computer Center, in honor of his 33 years of defending clients and also serving on the board of directors for the program, which is part of Fresh Start Ministries in Cedar Rapids.

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The RISE Program works with individuals who have been released from jail or prison. Volunteers with the program make referrals to a variety of social services agencies to help them find housing, jobs and bus passes, learn skills for daily life and access other services. The computers help the participants in the program

Dave Grinde, a retired public defender and close friend of Sissel’s, said it was a “standing room only” crowd at the Nov. 20 ceremony, including lawyers, judges, court staff, probation officers, RISE staff, friends and family. Grinde was the keynote speaker.

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Grinde spoke about how Sissel was “special and unique” and treated everybody like a best friend. He was well-respected by colleagues and friends.

“The judicial system has lost a giant, who was only just beginning his well-deserved retirement,” Grinde told The Gazette after Sissel’s death. “He was the defense lawyer that clients in need wanted and requested.”

Several judges, lawyers, prosecutors, court staff, following Sissel death, remembered him as “positive, sincere and a zealous advocate” who had an “infectious laugh” that could be heard throughout the courthouse.

Sissel, who was born in Iowa City and grew up in Anamosa, practiced law for 33 years and served as chief public defender for 15 years. He retired in 2022.

“We should all strive to have a life like Brian,” Grinde told the crowd at the RISE ceremony. “He was so proud of his daughters, Isabel and Lily, who he referred to as his ‘rock,’ and his wife, Britt (Hagmeier). We always saw their love, joy and laughter and how they made each other happy.”

Laura Strait Heiar, a RISE board member, said Sissel served on the board about five years and recruited her to join three years ago. She met him in college when they were in the criminal justice program at Mount Mercy University.

Heiar, who retired in 2023 as assistant director of the 6th Judicial District Department of Correctional Services, said when she joined the department and Sissel became a defense lawyer, he teased her for “going to the dark side,” but she pointed out both sides need good people.

Sissel, in recruiting her for the board, told her this would be a way to continue her mission of “humanizing” offenders to show they are more than their convictions and can contribute to their communities after serving a jail or prison sentence.

“It was a gut punch when Brian died,” Heiar said. “He taught us all to do things with kindness. You always felt good around him. He was all about paying it forward.”

The board decided to dedicate the computer lab to Sissel for his years serving on the board and supporting the program’s work, Heiar said. Another community member previously had donated 10 computers to help participants find jobs and other services.

Heiar said Sissel’s wife also has donated money to the program and her husband’s clothes, which was difficult for her, but she wanted the donation to have purpose. Participants in the program always need clothing, especially suits for interviews, she noted.

Mike Niece-Jacoby, RISE program coordinator, said the program usually serves about 120 people a month and usually have turnover every three months because the participants find jobs and housing and don’t need its services anymore.

The RISE program is in need of donations of coats, hats, gloves and men’s jeans. The program, which can be reached at (319) 382-2350, is located at 901 29th Ave. SW in Cedar Rapids.

Comments: (319) 398-8318; trish.mehaffey@thegazette.com