Cedar Rapids police lieutenant takes new role at airport

CEDAR RAPIDS - Kenneth Washburn's career in law enforcement is coming full-circle.

After 34 years with the Cedar Rapids police department, Washburn has been hired as public safety commander at The Eastern Iowa Airport. The 57-year-old, who was most recently a patrol division lieutenant, accepted the job in August and his last day with the police department is Friday.

Washburn's first job in law enforcement was as a safety officer at the airport, shortly after receiving his criminal justice degree from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in 1976.

“He's coming back home,” said Mike Klappholz, the former Cedar Rapids police chief.

At the airport, Washburn will oversee four captains and eight officers. They handle law enforcement, fire fighting, medical incidents and the safety of operations. Assistance from the Cedar Rapids police and fire departments is available, if needed.

“I'm excited about the change,” Washburn said. “It's mixed emotions, in leaving (the police department), but I look forward to the new challenges.”

Ron Harrelson served previously as the airport public safety commander until his position was eliminated in restructuring in 2007. Since then, Thomas Mize and most recently Sara Mau oversaw public safety, along with managing airport operations.

By making the move, Washburn's annual pay will increase from $93,995 to around $136,000. He will receive $59,000 annually for his work at the airport and full pension benefits of about $77,000 annually.

Washburn, who grew up in Cedar Rapids, said he always wanted to be a police officer. His mother worked for the FBI during the Korean conflict, and a friend's father was a lieutenant detective in Cedar Rapids.

Hired in 1977, he quickly ascended the police ranks, promoted to detective in 1981 and then to lieutenant in 1992. He had three stints in patrol, but spent most of his career in investigations.

“He was one of the primary supervisors of investigators of some of our most heinous crimes that occurred during those times,” Klappholz said. “He ensured that it was all done correctly. It was always very reassuring knowing that Ken was in charge to make sure things were being done correctly.”

Washburn received the Medal of Valor, the department's highest honor, for his actions when his partner, Mark Fischer, was shot during a traffic stop on Feb. 4, 1979. As Fischer approached the car, he noticed a British military rifle in the back seat. When he reached for it, the driver pulled out a handgun and shot him four times.

Washburn, who had stayed in the driver's seat of the patrol car in case the driver decided to flee, returned fire. He jumped out of the patrol car, climbed on top of the suspect's car and struck him in the head as he tried to get out of the car. The blow knocked the suspect down, and Washburn took him into custody.

Fischer recovered and worked as a detective at the Cedar Rapids police department until retiring in 2004. The suspect, Ferdinand Vick, was convicted of attempted murder and was released after serving five years.

It was the only time Washburn ever fired his service weapon in the line of duty.

Later in his career, Washburn investigated financial crimes after taking part-time classes to get an accounting degree from then-Mount Mercy College. Some of his cases stretched overseas, including when several million dollars was embezzled from a Cedar Rapids business to accounts in Switzerland and Greece.

“It was kind of like putting the pieces of a puzzle together,” Washburn said. “To be assigned a case, and then follow it through to reach a conclusion with it, I found interesting.”

Joe Clark, a 20-year veteran on the Cedar Rapids police force, has been promoted to lieutenant in response to Washburn's departure. He has been a sergeant for the last three years, working on research and development in the administrative division.

Washburn said he was thankful for the support of his wife and three children during his career. Klappholz, who worked alongside Washburn for 31 years, called him a humble person who is committed to his community and family.

“It's hard not to like Ken Washburn,” Klappholz said.