Supervisor revisits Jackson County courthouse shooting

MAQUOKETA - The Jackson County supervisor who tackled the shooter in the courthouse yesterday says he did so to protect his friends.

Larry 'Buck” Koos was at a Board of Supervisors meeting Tuesday when investigators say 71-year-old Francis 'Gus” Glaser pulled a gun from his briefcase.

Police say Glaser fired a shot at Deb Lane, the Jackson County Assessor. The shot missed her, but Supervisor Koos tackled Glaser in an attempt to stop him. During the scuffle the gun went off again, and that shot killed Glaser. Wednesday afternoon, authorities said an autopsy determined Glaser died of a gunshot wound to the head and neck. The State Medical Examiner's Office certified Glaser's death as a suicide.

When Koos tackled Glaser, glass from a broken door cut Koos's wrist. His injuries were treated at a local hospital and Koos returned work to Wednesday morning.

Supervisor Koos recalled the incident, explaining he was the closest person who was able to reach Glaser. He jumped out of his chair and grabbed Glaser from behind. He slammed Glaser into a glass door, pushing him to the floor.

Koos said that's when he felt Glaser fire another shot.

'I knew it was close, Koos said. 'I could smell the gun power in my nose. Right away I thought I got shot.”

Investigators say the shot actually hit Glaser. He died while Koos was holding him down.

'I'm not a hero,” said Koos. 'I am just like you. I work for a living. The heroes are the police and fire departments and military. They do this every day.”

Security guards at the Jackson County Courthouse do not use a metal detector on a regular basis. Koos says a committee of city and county leaders started working on plans to improve security. Those meeting began before Tuesday's shooting.