Sgt. Stein, seven other Iowa peace officers honored

DES MOINES – Lonnie Stein watched proudly as bagpipes played, a wreath was placed, inspiring words were spoken, and 21 gun blasts echoed their salutes through the state Capitol complex Tuesday honoring his son and seven other Iowa peace officers who gave their lives in the line of duty during an annual memorial service.

“It was very well put on. Everybody was precision in what they were doing. It's amazing that he's getting that much recognition,” said Stein, whose son, Eric, 39, of What Cheer, was shot and killed by Jeff Krier, 53, of rural Sigourney, while protecting other law officers. “I'm extremely proud of him, yes.”

Several hundred Iowans - many in uniform, some on horseback – gathered at the Peace Officer Memorial near the Statehouse Tuesday to add eight names to the plague whose deaths spanned less than two months to 125 years ago.

Gov. Terry Branstad, who was on hand to dedicate the memorial in May 1985, called Tuesday's yearly observance a “fitting and wonderful ceremony” that included a bagpiper playing “Amazing Grace,” a trumpeter playing “Taps” and renditions of “The Star Spangled Banner” and “God Bless America” during a half-hour ceremony.

“Every day peace officers protect the integrity of our society which, in essence, is the pinnacle of service to a civilized society,” the governor told the assemblage.

“It's always a very moving and exceptionally great event,” Branstad said after the event. “Unfortunately, it's very vivid in our minds Eric Stein having died in the line of duty here less than two months ago. I think it's important for us to show our respect and appreciation to those people who risk their lives every day.”

Public safety officials noted the addition of Stein's name – the victim of an April 4 shooting incident – brought to 164 the list of names of officers listed on the Iowa memorial as killed in the line of duty. In addition, five persons - although not sworn officers - have given their lives assisting with or in law enforcement responsibilities, officials said.

Keokuk County Sheriff Jeff Shipley said his department is still working through the loss of Stein, a sergeant for 11 years and the first Iowa law officers to die in the line of duty in 25 years.

“I think it's a great tribute to the memory of Eric Stein and signifies how great a person, a man and law enforcement officer that he was,” Shipley told reporters after the service. “He's greatly missed. He's left quite a hole that we're still trying to fill. We're working, always moving ahead trying to fill that gap that he's left.”

Lonnie Stein said his 9-year-old granddaughter seems to be accepting her father's death better than he had expected, although he conceded “it's been hard … around home without him. He did a lot to help. He helped other people to the extent of leaving his own stuff go.”

At the conclusion of Tuesday's memorial, Chaplain Patrick Nath offered a prayer for protection, saying “Father, we pray that you'll watch over these officers, that you'll be their help and their shield. God, we pray that you will ride with them and, Lord, we pray that there won't be any names to add to the memorial next year.”

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2011 Peace Officer Memorial Additions

1. Officer Robert Heller, Avoca Police Department – Officer Robert Heller arrived at a domestic disturbance on the south side of Avoca, Iowa, on June 20, 1886. Officer Heller announced himself at the residence and was fatally wounded by a shotgun blast from the drunk offender, William Farrell. Farrell then turned the gun on himself, dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

2. Night Watchman Samuel Hamilton, LeMars Police Department – On November 24, 1888, while serving as a Special Policeman, Officer Hamilton was trying to quiet a group of young men who had just come out of the Club Room, a local establishment. A short melee broke out and a pistol shot was heard. Officer Hamilton was shot in the heart and died moments later on the sidewalk. One of the men, John Gainor, was arrested for murder.

3. Deputy Thomas Walsh, Union County Sheriff's Office – On December 4, 1899, Deputy Walsh served Al Williams a writ of execution. In the afternoon, the deputy went to the Williams farm to secure the property to satisfy the judgment. Walsh was met at the farm with Al Williams holding a shot gun. Mr. Williams told Deputy Walsh to leave and when Deputy Walsh advanced toward Williams, Williams shot Deputy Walsh just below the right ear killing him instantly.

4. Officer John Bailey, Waterloo Police Department – On April 10, 1902, Officer John Bailey was operating a team of horses and a buggy in downtown Waterloo. The horses became frightened at a passing street car and bolted. The tongue of the buggy broke and caught on the brick pavement, throwing Officer Bailey and another passenger. Officer Bailey suffered a head injury. An operation was performed, but he died on April 18, 1902.

5. James W. Busby, Greene County Sheriff's Office – On May 7, 1911, “Posse” member James Busby chased two suspects after a burglary at the Paton, Iowa Post Office. The chase led them south of town to the French School in Paton. Mr. Busby opened the door to apprehend the burglary suspects and was shot in the chest. One of the suspects surrendered after being shot in the leg. The other died of a gunshot to the head.

6. Deputy Sheriff Albert Patton, Page County Sheriff's Office – On February 12, 1921, two brothers from Bingham, Iowa, were accused of coming to a game of craps in Shenandoah, heavily armed and dangerous. They took all the participants' money and drugs. Deputy Patton, on his way to apprehend the brothers, stepped from the train at the station where they were located and he was shot to death. The brothers were later apprehended in Missouri.

7. Officer Richard Williams, Albia Police Department – On January 2, 1941, Albia Police Officer Richard Williams arrested two suspects after a report of a fight at a local tavern. The two male suspects resisted arrest. After Officer Williams transported the two men to the county jail, he collapsed and died from a heart attack. The heart attack was caused by exertion while Officer Williams arrested the two suspects.

8. Sergeant Eric Stein, Keokuk County Sheriff's Office - On April 4, 2011, Sergeant Eric Stein was shot and killed as he, the county sheriff, and another deputy attempted to question a man regarding an incident that had occurred the previous night. The three officers had gone to the man's rural home shortly before noon when they were fired upon. Sergeant Stein was struck and killed. The sheriff and remaining deputy took cover and called for assistance.

The stand-off was brought to an end by the Iowa State Patrol Tactical Team. Sergeant Stein served with the Keokuk County Sheriff's Office for 11 years. He is survived by his 9-year-old daughter, sister, and father.