DES MOINES, IOWA --
Two local law enforcement officers were added to the State's Peace Officer Memorial.
Keokuk County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Stein and Albia Police Officer Richard Williams were among the eight law enforcement officers honored by Governor Terry Branstad this morning at a ceremony in Des Moines this morning.
Keokuk County Sheriff's Deputy Eric Stein and Albia Police Officer Richard Williams were among the eight law enforcement officers honored by governor terry branstad this morning at a ceremony in des moines.
Most viewers are familiar with Stein, the Keokuk County Sheriff's Deputy who was killed in April as he attempted to question a Sigourney man.
Most viewers will not be as familiar with the case of Richard Williams.
Williams was an Abia police officer who died in January of 1941 after a scuffle during the arrest of two men suspected in a bar fight.
Complete Biographies
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.
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